April knew exactly what needed to be done. My husband was on a ventilator and sedated for six days. April made my husband believe in himself. She said, "Today is the day to breathe on your own and stand up." Her expectations set the bar high for someone who was lying in bed for two weeks. She had perseverance and a sense of humor. She decreased his sedation and then stopped it. She pulled the breathing tube. He was finally breathing on his own. She quickly found out that he was funny, too. April explained each phase of his recovery. She helped explain why he was hallucinating. Hours after he was breathing, she was determined he would stand. It was a slow process, but she was extremely patient and calming to his needs. When she got him sitting up on the side of the bed, she gave him a back rub that made him think he died and went to heaven. He even started singing to April.
In two weeks, my husband has had many nurses and been at two different hospitals. Each nurse gives a little different care. There is a special category for nurses like April. She was amazing. She was always visible. My husband talks about April every day. She is deserving of the highest award possible.
April even did little things, like give him a fan, and she gave him ice for the first time. She was extremely knowledgeable and inspiring. She was an angel sent from heaven.