March 2024
Broderick
Sutton
,
BSN, RN, CCRN
LT CICU
Texas Children's Hospital
Houston
,
TX
United States
My son shared with me how Broderick empathized with how he was feeling and in my son's words, "he made me feel safe, cared for and supported".
My 16-year-old son was unexpectedly admitted to CICU after what was supposed to be a day procedure in the cardiac catheterization lab. Unfortunately, this was the third procedure my son has had in the last 20 months, and each time, he ended up on a treatment plan that placed him at risk for bleeding. As a result, my son had to temporarily give up playing ice hockey which has been very difficult for him. He was looking forward to having this procedure to verify the last repair was successful and he would remain on track to begin playing hockey again this fall. When he woke up from anesthesia in the CICU he was so upset. He tearfully told me he can't do this again. He was in a lot of pain because he had a terrible headache from anesthesia and he needed to use the bathroom. He was confined to the bed because he still had his pressure dressing on his groin. At this point, my son's doctor came to update his dad and I on the repair that was done during the procedure and talk about the treatment plan for the next several months. We left the bedside for about an hour to go to a consult room. When we returned it was like my son was a brand new person! Broderick had him sitting up in a chair and smiling. He was sipping water and telling me how he felt so much better. While we were gone, Broderick distracted my son as much as possible until it was time to remove the dressing and helped him to the bathroom. My son shared his fear of removing the dressing based on a complication he had previously and also how he "has" to be in the bathroom to be able to void. My son shared with me how Broderick empathized with how he was feeling and in my son's words, "he made me feel safe, cared for and supported". This brought tears to my eyes because Broderick was able to provide emotional support to my son, who felt like his world was going to be turned upside down for another year. I am so very thankful for the care and sensitivity he showed towards my son (and his parents). He made our whole hospital stay so much better.