During my stay at St. Luke’s, I would like to recognize RN Erika. On my second day of admission, the day following a right heart cath I started feeling dizzy, had blurred vision, and quickly developed a very severe headache. I altered Erika and she instructed the aide to test my blood sugar. Simultaneously Erika began an assessment. She had me follow her finger, I extended my arms and pushed up and down against her hands, and she asked me to hold a smile and several other things.

With my blood sugar being in range, Erika advised me that as a precaution she was going to request the stroke team to evaluate me. Erika explained that because of my Warfarin being held before the catheterization and my INR being low it was best to be sure that I wasn’t having a slight stroke. Erika continued to be assigned to me over subsequent days and her high level of care and positive energy never wavered for a second addressing my needs. I tend to get down, depressed easily and Erika always explained in detail what labs and tests might be prompting doctors’ decisions and how those decisions will help my medical situation moving forward. That always helped me get through the day.

In title, Erika is a cardiac nurse but her knowledge and ability combined with her compassion and caring attitude, she commits to her patients more like a friend. Thank you so much, Erika, for all your expert care and attention. You are working in the right profession. Good luck to you and all the very best for your future.