My son was complaining of right-sided abdomen pain, on and off. By 7 pm he was really complaining of pain. My son is high functioning autistic, has some sensory processing issues and a severe anxiety disorder for which he has a service dog. I asked him a lot of questions, trying to figure out if we could work through his pain, or if we had to go to the doctor. I decided, based on his area of pain, that I was not comfortable making the medical decision to try to wait out his pain. Since we were right next to the Aurora Kenosha Urgent Care and Hospital, we went to the urgent care to start, hoping that they might be able to help in a lesser anxiety environment. Each caregiver we encountered was incredibly thoughtful and knowledgeable and accepting of his service dog. They all treated my son and his service dog, with amazing care. It was our first experience in a clinic having (the service dog) with us, as she just came to us. The urgent care staff was not able to treat my son due to his symptoms, so they transported my son to the Emergency Dept.
This is where Ann comes into the story, as well as all the amazing staff in the ED at Kenosha. All the staff was amazing with my son and his dog. Every caregiver that we encountered knew what to do and how to behave with a service dog. I can't stress enough that when I say every caregiver, I mean each and every one. I am familiar with the emergency department and the protocols, understanding that my son would need to have an IV, which I also knew would cause him extreme anxiety and pain. One of his processing disorders relates to pain. His mind perceives pain at a much, much greater level than it actually is. Once we got my son settled and the initial questions answered after the nurses left the room, I was able to leave my son and go talk to his nurse, Ann. I started with an apology because I knew what was going to happen I explained to her his fears and his pain perceptions problems, as well as his severe anxiety issues. She was amazing. She was immediately accepting and rather than making me feel guilty for having to explain and justify my child's issues, she made me feel secure that she completely understood and that they would do what they could do minimize his anxiety. She was very open about how this was not an uncommon issue and they would be able to get him through it. She gave the doctor a heads up before he came in the room to please not mention needles, IV, blood work needed, etc. in front of my son. The doctor was totally accommodating and wonderful with my son. Ann's actions and looking out for my son made all the difference.
When it came time to do my son's IV, she came prepared. She prepped all the supplies she needed outside the room and came with reinforcements (I use that word jokingly, but realistically). There was some concern with his service dog and what she would do. I was truthful and let them know that I was not sure because this would be their first experience like this. Ann talked to my son and I watched him totally shut down and become unreceptive to anything she was saying. She was being so gentle, trying to feel him out to see if different approaches might draw him out and help. He literally tried to curl up in a ball and disappear. I tried to talk to him to explain how it was necessary and we would get it done super-fast. It came down to having to wrestle him down to the bed for Ann to get the IV in. As soon as my son started screaming, and I can't express to you how loud he can be, the dog needed to escape, so one of the nurses took her out to my mother, who was in the waiting room. I sort of put myself in the primary position with my son to hold him down because I did not want him to focus on them and what they were doing, I wanted him to feel somewhat secure because I was there. Ann did offer me the option of leaving the room and they could deal with my son, but I couldn't do that to him or them. It wouldn't be fair of me to escape and leave him with the feeling of abandonment and now distrust of the nurses because they would force him to do something he didn't want to and was terrified of. So, I stayed and was the most in his face trying to help him understand, all while he was screaming bloody murder, that it was going to be ok and it would be over quickly. Ann was so incredible. She got the IV in and the blood she needed drawn, in record time with a wiggling, kicking, screaming young man. They were able to tape it down and totally cover it with an ace bandage. Her thoughtfulness in covering it so he couldn't see it was so appreciated. I have never seen an IV go in that quickly and efficiently and Ann even covered the blood spot left on the bed from the process with another blanket, quietly showing me why she had put the blanket there, so I wouldn't move it. The care she lives and breathes in every aspect of her job is a gift. Ann pours such love and care into her work and it shines through.
Even after all that struggle, each nurse was still so amazing with my son. They each took a moment to make sure he was ok and to talk to him after it was done. The dog was brought back and she was able to help him sit and work through his lingering fears and the pain of having the IV in.
We had a similar screaming, crying experience with taking the IV out. The nurse that was removing it while I held my son and shielded his eyes from seeing what she was doing was being assisted by Ann. As the nurse took each part off she would lay it on the bed to work on the next piece of tape or next thing to be removed. Eventually, the IV itself was removed and also laid on the bed, so she could use both hands to put pressure on my son's arm because he was fighting her still. Ann kept grabbing the things laid on the bed as quickly as she could so my son couldn't see them. It is not often that I feel someone truly understands the struggles I face with my son. Ann absolutely understands, and her actions show it. Her caring nature put us at ease and her understanding generated a feeling of comfort.
The staff, especially Ann, was amazing with my son and the dog and put us so much at ease, we felt at home. Too often parents of children with disabilities are put into the position of feeling guilt, justifying their child's behavior and their style of parenting. I felt NONE of that judgment from any of the staff in the ED. The Aurora Kenosha Emergency Room is totally blessed with Ann. We could not have had a better experience for him with his first ED visit and I am eternally grateful for the training, care and atmosphere Ann and the other caregivers have created in the Aurora Kenosha Emergency Dept. Ann is truly a DAISY Nurse.
Note: This is Ann's 2nd DAISY Award!