Greg L Seese
March 2023
Greg L
Seese
,
RN
ICU
Allina Health Abbott Northwestern Hospital
Minneapolis
,
MN
United States
Greg spoke so genuinely to her and gave her such an inspirational talk that it brought tears to all of our eyes. I taped it for her so she could re-watch it due to her short-term memory loss. We have watched it several times and it's such an incredible thing that he did for her, and our family.
When I think about an employee who shows compassion, trust, integrity, respect, and stewardship, my mind keeps coming back to Greg. The way Greg truly cares for the best interests of his patients is such an inspiration to those who know him. I first had experience with Greg's ability to connect and relate during an extremely difficult time for our family. With permission from my daughter, I want to share this story with you.
Our daughter, K, received a diagnosis that changed all of our lives. K had a very rare and large brain tumor called a Central Neurocytoma. One of, if not the, largest ones that the doctor has ever removed. K was just 25 years old, an RN herself. She knew the risks and what a devastating diagnosis this was, and so did her longtime boyfriend. He immediately proposed, and we pulled together a family wedding the very next day, not knowing if she would survive the surgery. A few days later, our doctor and his A team performed a very long 8 1/2-hour surgery and were able to get much of the tumor, but the rest needed to go. She was so good after that surgery that you would not have known that she had brain surgery. Then, four days later, they went back in for the rest of it. From the front this time.
I know you are asking where Greg comes in. Here he does. Following that very difficult surgery, they thought that she had a stroke during surgery as she couldn't move her right side or speak. We were all devastated, our healthy, beautiful daughter, was just nothing there. It was horrifying. Somehow we were lucky enough to get Greg as her nurse. She was his first and only patient following his own return from his paternity leave.
This was a hard case for him, but he remained positive and provided comfort to us that we desperately needed. Every hour, he would point out to us, look what she's doing now! She moved this leg, I saw it! She is on her way back to you all. You see, he knew how much we loved her as he just had his first baby girl at home too. I can't tell you how much his compassion and genuine caring meant to our family. As the days went on, K came back to us! Just like they all said she would, but she had to learn everything all over again: how to walk and talk, you name it. As you can imagine, it was so difficult and even harder to process what was happening to her.
She didn't understand some very basic commands. I want you to know that Greg came in to check on K even when he wasn't assigned to her. He cheered her on as she walked down the hallway for the very first time, even though he wasn't even her nurse. He always made a point of coming in and checking with her and us to see how we all were doing. After more than 20 days in the Neurology ICU, she finally transitioned to a regular room.
K fell into a depression, it was hard to process all of what was happening to her. I thought, gosh, I wonder if Greg would come in and talk with her. He saw her at her very worst and would maybe be able to give her hope to carry on. I sought him out and on his break, he came in to see her. He spoke so genuinely to her and gave her such an inspirational talk that it brought tears to all of our eyes. I taped it for her so she could re-watch it due to her short-term memory loss. We have watched it several times and it's such an incredible thing that he did for her, and our family. I am eternally grateful for Greg.
A year later, a family member landed in the neuro unit. I immediately thought of Greg. The nurse who cared for K's grandma, remembered also taking care of K! I said, I wonder if Greg is working and if we could just thank him. Within an hour, Greg came to see us! I got the biggest hug, and we called K! They chatted, and gosh, the difference in her and how she has healed was so inspirational for all of us, including Greg. K shared with Greg that she had accepted an RN position with Allina, caring for patients with Traumatic Brain Injuries. It's just so cool, and she wanted to do this because of the care and compassion that Greg showed to her and because of the exceptional care she received also at CKRI in Golden Valley.
I am just so appreciative of Greg, and for the impact, he has had on all of our lives. I can only imagine the impact that he has had on others as well.
Our daughter, K, received a diagnosis that changed all of our lives. K had a very rare and large brain tumor called a Central Neurocytoma. One of, if not the, largest ones that the doctor has ever removed. K was just 25 years old, an RN herself. She knew the risks and what a devastating diagnosis this was, and so did her longtime boyfriend. He immediately proposed, and we pulled together a family wedding the very next day, not knowing if she would survive the surgery. A few days later, our doctor and his A team performed a very long 8 1/2-hour surgery and were able to get much of the tumor, but the rest needed to go. She was so good after that surgery that you would not have known that she had brain surgery. Then, four days later, they went back in for the rest of it. From the front this time.
I know you are asking where Greg comes in. Here he does. Following that very difficult surgery, they thought that she had a stroke during surgery as she couldn't move her right side or speak. We were all devastated, our healthy, beautiful daughter, was just nothing there. It was horrifying. Somehow we were lucky enough to get Greg as her nurse. She was his first and only patient following his own return from his paternity leave.
This was a hard case for him, but he remained positive and provided comfort to us that we desperately needed. Every hour, he would point out to us, look what she's doing now! She moved this leg, I saw it! She is on her way back to you all. You see, he knew how much we loved her as he just had his first baby girl at home too. I can't tell you how much his compassion and genuine caring meant to our family. As the days went on, K came back to us! Just like they all said she would, but she had to learn everything all over again: how to walk and talk, you name it. As you can imagine, it was so difficult and even harder to process what was happening to her.
She didn't understand some very basic commands. I want you to know that Greg came in to check on K even when he wasn't assigned to her. He cheered her on as she walked down the hallway for the very first time, even though he wasn't even her nurse. He always made a point of coming in and checking with her and us to see how we all were doing. After more than 20 days in the Neurology ICU, she finally transitioned to a regular room.
K fell into a depression, it was hard to process all of what was happening to her. I thought, gosh, I wonder if Greg would come in and talk with her. He saw her at her very worst and would maybe be able to give her hope to carry on. I sought him out and on his break, he came in to see her. He spoke so genuinely to her and gave her such an inspirational talk that it brought tears to all of our eyes. I taped it for her so she could re-watch it due to her short-term memory loss. We have watched it several times and it's such an incredible thing that he did for her, and our family. I am eternally grateful for Greg.
A year later, a family member landed in the neuro unit. I immediately thought of Greg. The nurse who cared for K's grandma, remembered also taking care of K! I said, I wonder if Greg is working and if we could just thank him. Within an hour, Greg came to see us! I got the biggest hug, and we called K! They chatted, and gosh, the difference in her and how she has healed was so inspirational for all of us, including Greg. K shared with Greg that she had accepted an RN position with Allina, caring for patients with Traumatic Brain Injuries. It's just so cool, and she wanted to do this because of the care and compassion that Greg showed to her and because of the exceptional care she received also at CKRI in Golden Valley.
I am just so appreciative of Greg, and for the impact, he has had on all of our lives. I can only imagine the impact that he has had on others as well.