Donna Wassel
September 2022
Donna
Wassel
,
RN, BSN
ICU
VA Western New York Healthcare System
Buffalo
,
NY
United States
And as I went through my own emotional and mental breakdowns, Donna would share things with me that would encourage me to fight.
I was inpatient for 5 weeks in the ICU due to COVID. My wife and family were having an emotional nightmare and even though my family is one of great faith, we never knew what to expect. Everything was new and frightening to all of us because I was in all respect a rather healthy person during this ordeal as I fought and struggled to come out. There were 2 wonderful and amazing nurses, along with others that took care of me, but these 2 went over and above tirelessly, diligently, taking care of me.
Donna was with me in the evening (12-hour days as well) and was also concerned and we connected; she expressed repeatedly how each of us could identify with things as a family. And as I went through my own emotional and mental breakdowns, she would share things with me that would encourage me to fight. I looked forward to seeing Donna in the evening after Cassie left. She would sit with play cards, and we would watch TV together and always made sure my juice was frozen like shaved ice. She would always hug me and say goodbye when she left and let me know she would be back tomorrow and even when she wasn’t assigned to me, she always came and checked on me or even stayed for a while and watched some of the TV show with me.
Cassie was with me during the day (12-hour days) always encouraging me to push and work hard, and always writing motivational and encouraging words on my board. Connecting with my wife and talking to her every time we facetimed each other and encouraging her that I was going to come out of this. Some days I would be so depressed and anxious, and angry this was happening to me that she would always calm me down with her encouraging manner that only she could do. Like a mother or a sister would do. She explained things to me and to my wife more than once and always kept it positive.
Their devotion and passion to me and us veterans is a Godsend. Even still today I'm back at work, they both still check on me, give me a hug make sure that I'm doing all right, and say hello to my wife. I have thought about a way to show them my appreciation for their dedication and loving caring manner. I remembered this and it is a way for me to show them how grateful and my appreciation for the care they gave me. They always gave me and my family hope. Thank you, Cassie and Donna.
Donna was with me in the evening (12-hour days as well) and was also concerned and we connected; she expressed repeatedly how each of us could identify with things as a family. And as I went through my own emotional and mental breakdowns, she would share things with me that would encourage me to fight. I looked forward to seeing Donna in the evening after Cassie left. She would sit with play cards, and we would watch TV together and always made sure my juice was frozen like shaved ice. She would always hug me and say goodbye when she left and let me know she would be back tomorrow and even when she wasn’t assigned to me, she always came and checked on me or even stayed for a while and watched some of the TV show with me.
Cassie was with me during the day (12-hour days) always encouraging me to push and work hard, and always writing motivational and encouraging words on my board. Connecting with my wife and talking to her every time we facetimed each other and encouraging her that I was going to come out of this. Some days I would be so depressed and anxious, and angry this was happening to me that she would always calm me down with her encouraging manner that only she could do. Like a mother or a sister would do. She explained things to me and to my wife more than once and always kept it positive.
Their devotion and passion to me and us veterans is a Godsend. Even still today I'm back at work, they both still check on me, give me a hug make sure that I'm doing all right, and say hello to my wife. I have thought about a way to show them my appreciation for their dedication and loving caring manner. I remembered this and it is a way for me to show them how grateful and my appreciation for the care they gave me. They always gave me and my family hope. Thank you, Cassie and Donna.