Avery Mills
August 2023
Avery
Mills
,
BSN, RN
CICU
ECU Health Medical Center
Greenville
,
NC
United States
A compassionate young woman who toiled for days trying to detangle Mom's hair. She stood behind her for long periods of time separating her hair from itself with her fingertips. Avery remained steadfast and wouldn't give up.
My 69-year-old Mother, V, and I walked into the emergency room here at ECU/Vidant medical center. Her health declined quickly as I stayed by her side for weeks (now over a month as I write this). I slept in every parking lot and multiple rooms as my Mom was transferred several times as her condition dictated. My Mother has always had long beautiful hair. During our stay here a few nurses suggested buying shampoo and conditioner and they would try and get all the knots out of her hair. I promptly went out and purchased the items needed and returned. Several more days passed, and her hair remained in a state of disarray. I asked why this was the case and I was given answers like "She won't let us do it" or "She is too sick".
Eventually, Mom had to be placed on a ventilator, so she was transferred to the intensive care unit in the cardiac tower. While there, we met a nurse named Avery. A compassionate young woman who toiled for days trying to detangle Mom's hair. She stood behind her for long periods of time separating her hair from itself with her fingertips. Avery remained steadfast and wouldn't give up. She soaked Mom's hair, she washed it, dried it, etc. Eventually, Mom's hair had to be cut. Avery did that too. She was very modest about her ability to cut my Mother's hair but, she did a fantastic job!
I, along with my family strongly believe that Avery should be the next recipient of the DAISY Award. She worked relentlessly with my Mother while also providing professional and prompt care to all of the other patients under her charge. Thanks to Avery, my Mother has been resting more comfortably with the pressure of the knots cut from her head. This was much more than just hair care. Avery made us remember that there are truly wonderful people in this world.
Mom has been off the ventilator now for several days and appears to be getting stronger which is what we need so that she can endure another round of chemotherapy. I will never forget the kind, caring, loving, utterly compassionate, and empathetic nature of this wonderful nurse. If I was in a supervisory role here at the hospital, I would consider myself very fortunate to have Avery as my employee. Godspeed. Thank you, Avery.
Eventually, Mom had to be placed on a ventilator, so she was transferred to the intensive care unit in the cardiac tower. While there, we met a nurse named Avery. A compassionate young woman who toiled for days trying to detangle Mom's hair. She stood behind her for long periods of time separating her hair from itself with her fingertips. Avery remained steadfast and wouldn't give up. She soaked Mom's hair, she washed it, dried it, etc. Eventually, Mom's hair had to be cut. Avery did that too. She was very modest about her ability to cut my Mother's hair but, she did a fantastic job!
I, along with my family strongly believe that Avery should be the next recipient of the DAISY Award. She worked relentlessly with my Mother while also providing professional and prompt care to all of the other patients under her charge. Thanks to Avery, my Mother has been resting more comfortably with the pressure of the knots cut from her head. This was much more than just hair care. Avery made us remember that there are truly wonderful people in this world.
Mom has been off the ventilator now for several days and appears to be getting stronger which is what we need so that she can endure another round of chemotherapy. I will never forget the kind, caring, loving, utterly compassionate, and empathetic nature of this wonderful nurse. If I was in a supervisory role here at the hospital, I would consider myself very fortunate to have Avery as my employee. Godspeed. Thank you, Avery.