Cynthia "Cindy" Messina
December 2024
Cynthia "Cindy"
Messina
,
RN
Transport Team
Children's Hospital New Orleans
New Orleans
,
LA
United States
The panic attack set in full force, and my mind was full of terror and fear, but I was reminded of Cindy's reassurance that she was going to take great care of him and that he was going to the best place for care.
I would like to nominate Cindy Messina, flight nurse for Children's Hospital of New Orleans, for the DAISY Award. My 6-month-old son was admitted to our local hospital with respiratory distress due to RSV. After an overnight stay, he was declining despite the efforts of the medical team, and they recommended transferring him to Children's Hospital New Orleans for a higher level of care. I felt as if the world was collapsing around me. I was completely helpless as my son struggled to breathe. Everything seemed to happen so fast. The team arrived, and that is when I met Cindy.
As soon as she entered the room, her calm demeanor gave me a slight feeling of relief. The way she treated my son as if she had known him since he was born soothed my aching heart. She was thorough, diligent, and detailed, explaining what was to be expected during transport. She was reassuring that he was going to the best place and would be provided with the best care.
Before I knew it, they were ready to put him in the helicopter. Seeing him strapped onto the stretcher had the absolute worst-case scenarios flying through my head. Watching the helicopter take off with my baby boy took the breath right out of my lungs and brought me to my knees. The panic attack set in full force, and my mind was full of terror and fear, but I was reminded of Cindy's reassurance that she was going to take great care of him and that he was going to the best place for care.
Minutes after takeoff, Cindy texted me that he was sleeping comfortably. What may seem like a simple text message to anyone else meant the world to me. This simple message brought me back to reality in the midst of chaos. She even sent us pictures of our little man snoozing on his first helicopter ride. I will forever be grateful that she was at his side that day, taking care of him. She kept us updated when they landed and when he was transferred to the unit. She even came to visit us a couple of days later to check on him and us!
I don't think she will ever understand the great impact she made during one of the most stressful experiences in my life. We thank her for being the calm during our storm. We will never forget our flight nurse, Cindy!
As soon as she entered the room, her calm demeanor gave me a slight feeling of relief. The way she treated my son as if she had known him since he was born soothed my aching heart. She was thorough, diligent, and detailed, explaining what was to be expected during transport. She was reassuring that he was going to the best place and would be provided with the best care.
Before I knew it, they were ready to put him in the helicopter. Seeing him strapped onto the stretcher had the absolute worst-case scenarios flying through my head. Watching the helicopter take off with my baby boy took the breath right out of my lungs and brought me to my knees. The panic attack set in full force, and my mind was full of terror and fear, but I was reminded of Cindy's reassurance that she was going to take great care of him and that he was going to the best place for care.
Minutes after takeoff, Cindy texted me that he was sleeping comfortably. What may seem like a simple text message to anyone else meant the world to me. This simple message brought me back to reality in the midst of chaos. She even sent us pictures of our little man snoozing on his first helicopter ride. I will forever be grateful that she was at his side that day, taking care of him. She kept us updated when they landed and when he was transferred to the unit. She even came to visit us a couple of days later to check on him and us!
I don't think she will ever understand the great impact she made during one of the most stressful experiences in my life. We thank her for being the calm during our storm. We will never forget our flight nurse, Cindy!