October 2018
Ann Marie
Cvijanovic
,
RN
G80
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Cleveland
,
OH
United States
If not for Ann Marie, I would not be on the “up and up” today. I will never forget her beautiful smile and her inner beauty as well.
I flew from Texas with my husband to go to the Cleveland Clinic because it’s the 2nd top facility in the country and I needed the best of care. I was very ill, critically, and was hoping that I would endure the flight. When we arrived, we saw a doctor with whom we had a scheduled appointment. He had me in his office for 6 hours and deemed I was critical and admitted me to Cleveland Clinic Hospital. While in the hospital, unbeknown to me my glucose dropped to 29 which was extremely critical , and the staff on the unit I was on were deciding to put me either in the intensive care unit of G80, a nutritional/internal medicine unit. The decision to put me on the G80 unit was made and a flock of their team, approximately 6 people came immediately to get me. I had no comprehension of what was occurring. One of the people, Ann Marie Cvijanovic, a nurse was there and kept telling me “I was critical” I wasn’t fond of her at that time or my critically low glucose made my brain foggy and unclear. Although I couldn’t ambulate, I managed to get off the bed during transport to locate an elevator to flee; I was unsuccessful and eventually Ann Marie convinced me to stay in G80. She explained the protocol, and had deep compassion for me. As the week ensued, I was there for 6 weeks, I grew very fond of Ann Marie realizing she meant the best for my well being. Ann Marie worked with me and I began to improve. Her devotion and knowledge was unparalleled to none. Her bedside manner was impeccable. Ann Marie told me she brought me a present; she gave me a stuffed animal, a turtle, telling me to “go slow, make little steps/strides” like a turtle. I was so touched. I hugged her tightly and cried, so did she. That turtle sleeps on my bed to this day as a visual reminder of my angel, Ann Marie. When I asked Ann Marie if she did this for all of her patients, she replied that this was her first time doing this for a patient. I asked her why she did this for me, her reply was that she felt an immediate connection to me, and wanted me to survive. I also felt that bond with her. Again, I hugged her, told her how fond I was of her and cried once again. If not for Ann Marie, I would not be on the “up and up” today. I will never forget her beautiful smile and her inner beauty as well. Ann Marie deserves to be commended for her angelic, devoted, compassionate ways, she is a true “daisy” , beautiful and caring both inside and out. The impact we had on each other is a valuable asset that will last a lifetime.