I am a 51-year-old female. I have had a mother that had a heart transplant when I was in my early 20's and this was not a good experience. My mother had a "very" hard & bad experience along with her husband and 2 daughters. I was diagnosed this week with heart failure and bad heart valves, COPD, congestive heart failure, autoimmune, hepatitis of liver and spleen. It was recommended that I also consider a heart transplant. I will not consider a transplant. My heart is too weak for a valve repair or replacement surgery.
So, in order to go home for a short stay, I need a "Life Vest" which my insurance will not pay for. I was admitted into the hospital in March. My nurse, Angela Baldwin, knew how overwhelmed I was getting and how scared I am. She always took the time to help me understand everything that was going on. There have been a few mornings that I needed someone to hold my hand, and without hesitation, Angela took my hand and held it. She sat with me while I cried and she helped me to come to terms with it all. I have plenty of experience helping family & friends thru major life experiences, but it was never myself. Until now. And I have Angela who is very selfless, considerate, loving, understanding, compassionate and very deserving.