Debbie met my husband and I during one of our most vunerable and scariest moments. Her shift began when it was time for me to start pushing. For three hours she helped me, my husband and my soon-to-be born son. The doctor decided that suction/vacuum would be the safest way to go at this point, because I had been pushing for so long. I began to cry because I was so afraid of the damage it may cause to both my baby and myself. Debbie calmed me down and helped me focus.
When the suctioning began, I screamed out in pain. My breathing was frantic and I knew something was wrong. Once again, Debbie kept her calm nature. My son's shoulder was stuck, so the doctor had to make a quick decision to keep us both safe. Seconds later he was out, and I was hysterical. Debbie held me with such compassion and grace while I sobbed. She brought my son to me and reassured me that we were all going to be okay. She checked on me after her shift and the next day. Nurses like Debbie remind me of why I became a Nurse. I can only hope that one day I will make a difference.