I was admitted to WellSpan York Hospital after finding out my baby had no heartbeat at 27 weeks due to preeclampsia. She was stillborn.

The first full day, Heather was my nurse. I immediately connected with her. She had the kindest personality and was very gentle with me, and somehow found ways to make me smile through the hardest day of my life. Every slow walk to the bathroom, she was so patient. I was on magnesium, so I was feeling very gross and dizzy. She took time to answer my questions and explain things to me and my husband. Preeclampsia was very new to me, and I had a lot of questions and worries, but she made me feel more comfortable and less worried.

That first night, when I ordered supper, I had ordered peach crisp for dessert, and they sent up plain peach slices. When she brought my tray to my room, she noticed it. She told me immediately, “Well, that’s not okay. You wanted peach crisp. I will get you your peach crisp.” She called down to the cafeteria despite them having already closed for the night and told them to send the correct thing up to me. At 7 p.m., when her shift was over, they still had not brought it up, and she made sure to tell my next nurse that I needed it. It took until almost 10 p.m., but I got it. That small detail made me feel important, cared for, and I appreciated Heather so much for that.

She would often sit down with me and listen to my feelings. She gave me tips on how to keep my milk supply down when it came in and how to keep the soreness down. She was the nurse who found an outfit and dressed my precious daughter when she was born. I was so sad when I learned she wasn’t going to be my nurse for the rest of my hospital stay. She had made me feel so at home in such a difficult time.

She then took time to stop in and see me on her day off! She brought me ice packs for my chest to keep the soreness down. She talked with me and gave me so much encouragement.

She wanted to come to my daughter’s memorial service but was unable to. It meant so much to me that she put in the thought of driving almost an hour for my daughter. Heather made me, my husband, and my family feel so loved and cared for during the most difficult time of our lives.

She still checks in on us, which shows she has the most caring heart, and she shows that her patience is more than just her job. She treated me like more than just a patient; she treated me like her own friend, daughter, or sister. She treated us and our little angel daughter with so much care and love. My husband and I felt so cared for by her even though we had her for such a short time. I would travel an hour to York Hospital every time if having her as my nurse was an option every single time. I personally don’t feel any nurse could top her care and compassion in such a difficult time, and my fear of hospital stays lessened because of Heather. We are forever grateful to Heather and WellSpan York Hospital for keeping us comfortable. The hospital is lucky to have a nurse like Heather.

Note: This is Heather's 2nd DAISY Award!