My wife, R, was 36.5 weeks pregnant and came down with an acute case of HELLP syndrome. What started as a normal day for us, ended with us rushing to the hospital to have an emergency Cesarean with general anesthesia to deliver our baby boy, C.
Emily started her care for R (I should say "us" as she helped me in so many ways as well), when we came into the triage area of the delivery wing of the hospital. She had just started her shift and jumped right into providing us care. Emily was extremely reassuring, warm and calming during this time explaining everything to us in an easy step by step manner. She made sure that R understood each step and outlined for us the chain of events as R went from a state of denial when we were first admitted to triage, to acceptance that this baby was actually going to be delivered tonight! Through Emily's explanation of the process along with our doctor, it set the proper expectations for both R and me of both the procedure that was about to ensue and the not so "fun" parts of the aftermath and care that would take place once R woke from her surgery.
R made it through surgery with flying colors and delivered our beautiful baby boy C. Pheww…one part of the process over, but the initial recover period and introduction of a new baby to a groggy and drugged up mama is where Emily's skill and care really shined. Emily aided in the initial breast feeding with R and C. Furthermore, she helped R through the not-so-fun process of making sure she was not clotting. During the course of her time with us, Emily not only provided proper expectations, she demonstrated a calming demeanor and an ability to make R smile and get through a really tough period, while providing the confidence that we were in great hands and that both R and C's needs were being met. She made sure that we knew the names of everyone who was part of our treatment team and did a great warm hand-off to the next nurse who took over our care when her shift ended. Emily's genuine compassion for us will stick in our memory as we look back on this trying and unexpected day that ended on such a positive note with the arrival of our healthy son C, and R eventually making a full recovery.
Emily is an extraordinary nurse. We won't forget the care she provided our new family.