April Cass
March 2018
April
Cass
,
RN
ICU
Rapid City Regional Hospital
Rapid City
,
SD
United States

 

 

 

My husband recently ended up in the ICU unconscious and on a vent after a routine surgery. April was the nurse assigned to him when he was transferred to this unit. The doctor explained to my son and I that he did not know when he would wake up or if there would be any neurological damage. Even though April had another patient that afternoon, she spent a considerable amount of time with us (as well as with her other patient) and was continually trying to get B to respond. She would be right down in his face talking to him in many tones of voice trying to get a reaction, varying between humorous and serious. Not only was she taking care of him, but she was also taking care of us by asking if we needed anything and showing that she truly cared.
B finally responded late in the day and we still were unsure if there was neurological damage, but April remained positive and encouraging. That night before she left she came in to check on us one last time and said she would be working again the next day and hoped that she would get us again. My son and I had grown comfortable with her so we were hoping we would be lucky enough to have her assigned to B the next day. The next morning when she came on, she was right back in with us and encouraging us and B. Because the floor where B should have been transferred back to was full, he stayed in the ICU most of the day and he got to know her and appreciate April like my son and I had. Thank you, April, for getting us through a very tough day.