Carolyn Cullingford
April 2019
Carolyn
Cullingford
,
BSN, RN
3E
Rockledge Regional Medical Center
Rockledge
,
FL
United States

 

 

 

I was trying to admit myself to 2 West, the psych wing, but had a seizure in the ER while I was waiting and was admitted to the medical wing before I could transfer. I've had seizures since 2005, and have been hearing voices of a certain type since 2005. Recently, I had a severe seizure and I started hearing a voice of a different type, where police were saying they were going to arrest me and take me off methadone. (I'm on it to try to get on a lower dose of Dilaudid due to pain from MS, not because of street drugs.) The first night on 3E I could barely sleep. The second night I couldn't sleep at all, as I kept hearing paranoid voices. Even though I knew the nurses were busy on my floor, Carolyn decided to stay in my room to make sure I was okay. I kept hearing voices throughout the night saying I was to be arrested and taken off Methadone and go into withdrawal. I told her if I get my dose of Methadone the next day, I could be certain that the voices were not real, but not until the following day. She was so nice and understanding even though I was screaming my head off that I knew they were outside the door to arrest me, she kept me calm. I think I even yelled at the techs and the nurse, acting like a giant fool. She reassured me that there were no police on the floor, only security personnel. She was very understanding and very empathetic to my plight. I'm sure other people have screamed at her, but I was one big fool to yell at her. She took my apologies and I told her to have a good, relaxing day, and she left. She is a very caring woman dedicated to her job of healing, both psychologically and physically. I couldn't think of a better person.
***
I would like to thank you for not only the wonderful care you gave to K, but the time you spent with us, and for comforting us. You have been given a gift to help people through your nursing skills, and you are able to release any stress they are experiencing. We both thank you for that. I wish I had more time to express our feelings for you and the staff, but we are excitedly on our way home! May God bless you. We will always remember you.