December 2017
Angela
Holt7
,
RN
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Le Bonheur Children's Hospital
Memphis
,
TN
United States

 

 

 

This is 1 of about 10 stories I have about Angela. Our son, B, was having a very difficult time coming off his oxygen and was really struggling with withdrawals. Angela, making sure our room was spotless, chords untangled, our communication between the doctors and teams was consistent, helped us to help B. As his stay lengthened, she returned as his nurse and noticed he just wasn't doing well. She asked if he enjoyed walks or going outside and I said yes. Within 1 hour she had wrangled a red wagon and received approval from RT for B to get out of the room and go for a walk. The walk quickly became an adventure, even taking us outside. Within 10 minutes of the walk, his breathing improved and life started showing in his eyes. I told her he loved picking flowers, so she found a small blossom for him to hold. We returned back to the room and quickly saw the poor breathing patterns. She said she was to be our nurse the next day and would try and get us outside again. She was able to get a wagon, some chalk, and bubbles and after 5 minutes of outside fun, our sweet B laughed and smiled for the 1st time in 12 days. We were able to be transferred to the floor and she made ghosts out of his footprints and hung them on the door. I believe she is the main reason B experienced joy and laughter, helping us to move from the PICU to the floor.