My daughter, B, had to have a quick surgical procedure completed at Bronson. B is a twin who was born 6 weeks early, spent 29 days in the NICU, and has had multiple health issues since birth, and due to everything she has been through, she does NOT do well at medical facilities. However, on a day when I thought it would be one meltdown after the next from having to go to the hospital on top of being NPO for her procedure, B breezed through the day like it was any other day all because of a nurse, known in our home now as New Carrie (B has an Aunt Kari). Carrie started with a warm welcome and related to B because of a penguin sticker Carrie was wearing. Then she needed a weight and vital signs, and Carrie allowed me to help B do all of these things while ensuring we were doing them correctly for an accurate result. She constantly explained what she was doing, why she was doing it, and let B acknowledge this prior to even touching B. She even made sure B's Bronson Bear had a name band on as well. Carrie then proceeded to ensure B had things to keep her occupied, but circling the halls over and over again in the car meant to be pushed by someone, but B insisted on figuring out a way to use her feet and move around the halls was her favorite. Each time we passed Carrie, she talked to B and gave words of encouragement or asked about the Mickey Mouse on the wall, which also helped preoccupy B during our wait. Carrie then worked with anesthesia when it came time to consult with them, and they found us in the halls to walk and talk with us so she could stay on the move while we discussed the anesthesia plan. 

And as the time approached for B to go back to the surgery room, Carrie made sure she was there as a familiar face to ease the transition from mom and dad. 

Surgery/procedures are always a stressful time for parents, but with B, we always worry because she is a strong, vocal (lots of screaming), fighter who makes sure everyone knows she is not happy. But, this time, I left my child to the surgical team, feeling relief, gratitude, and tears of joy because New Carrie made sure she met B and her parents' mental, emotional, and medical needs right where we needed her to. For this, I will be forever grateful. It has been a few weeks since the procedure, and B has had other appointments and has said, "Do it like New Carrie," and these appointments have gone so much better than they have in the past. 

New Carrie Crippen, RN, THANK YOU! Our family is forever grateful for your nursing care and for helping to change how B approaches medical care.