Ann Hummel
January 2023
Ann
Hummel
,
BSN, RN
5 North
Baptist Health Louisville
Louisville
,
KY
United States
She took the time to get to know us. She knew how to talk to my dad to bring peace. She hugged me and brought comfort. She brought reassurance to my mother. She advocated for my father when needed.
My father had come into the emergency room after prostate cancer surgery. He was in severe pain and had complications after the surgery. He was admitted and moved to 5 North. My dad was treated and in the process of being released to go home on the day that Ann became his nurse. As he was preparing to get ready to go home, he began bleeding from around the catheter. The catheter became blocked. Ann began immediately to work to flush the blockage with no success. My dad ended up having to have a cystogram bedside in order to clear the blockage. He remained in the hospital that night to ensure everything was okay.
The next day Ann was his nurse again. My dad’s condition began to change, and he was having issues with not being able to control his bowels and feeling pressure and pain. We spent several days after that trying to keep my dad clean and dry as his condition continued to decline. It became obvious to Ann there was something more critical going on. My dad’s mental state deteriorated, and he became more and more confused. This went on for days. After days of trying to get answers, Ann was able to talk directly to the urologist to explain what symptoms she had seen my dad exhibiting. The urologist immediately scheduled a procedure in which he discovered the small fistula. My dad then had a colostomy bag placed.
Ann not only advocated for my dad, but she was a constant reassurance to me and my family. The medical issues that my dad went through were hard to endure but honestly, the emotional stress that I was under as my dad’s mental state became more unstable was the hardest part. At one time Ann walked into the room and saw me crying after she heard how my dad was speaking to me. She immediately intervened asking me to leave the room. She calmed my dad down. Then she called the minister on staff to come to pray with us. That is just what Ann did. She took the time to get to know us. She knew how to talk to my dad to bring peace. She hugged me and brought comfort. She brought reassurance to my mother. She advocated for my father when needed. I know that Ann was sent to our family. She cared for my dad and us as if we were part of her family.
My dad went home for 6 days and then had to return to the hospital due to further complications. I saw Ann in the elevator. She made a point to come to check on my dad as he was staying on a different floor. I know that Ann saved my dad’s life. Had she not been willing to step in to advocate for him, then he may have been sent home with the fistula resulting in a severe infection that he may not have survived. I still tear up thinking about the difference that she made in his future. She is an amazing nurse, woman, and now friend. Thank you, Ann, for all you did to care for my dad and for me. I will never forget you and you will always be considered our guardian angel.
Note: This is Ann's 2nd DAISY Award!
The next day Ann was his nurse again. My dad’s condition began to change, and he was having issues with not being able to control his bowels and feeling pressure and pain. We spent several days after that trying to keep my dad clean and dry as his condition continued to decline. It became obvious to Ann there was something more critical going on. My dad’s mental state deteriorated, and he became more and more confused. This went on for days. After days of trying to get answers, Ann was able to talk directly to the urologist to explain what symptoms she had seen my dad exhibiting. The urologist immediately scheduled a procedure in which he discovered the small fistula. My dad then had a colostomy bag placed.
Ann not only advocated for my dad, but she was a constant reassurance to me and my family. The medical issues that my dad went through were hard to endure but honestly, the emotional stress that I was under as my dad’s mental state became more unstable was the hardest part. At one time Ann walked into the room and saw me crying after she heard how my dad was speaking to me. She immediately intervened asking me to leave the room. She calmed my dad down. Then she called the minister on staff to come to pray with us. That is just what Ann did. She took the time to get to know us. She knew how to talk to my dad to bring peace. She hugged me and brought comfort. She brought reassurance to my mother. She advocated for my father when needed. I know that Ann was sent to our family. She cared for my dad and us as if we were part of her family.
My dad went home for 6 days and then had to return to the hospital due to further complications. I saw Ann in the elevator. She made a point to come to check on my dad as he was staying on a different floor. I know that Ann saved my dad’s life. Had she not been willing to step in to advocate for him, then he may have been sent home with the fistula resulting in a severe infection that he may not have survived. I still tear up thinking about the difference that she made in his future. She is an amazing nurse, woman, and now friend. Thank you, Ann, for all you did to care for my dad and for me. I will never forget you and you will always be considered our guardian angel.
Note: This is Ann's 2nd DAISY Award!