I was seen at the Providence Everett emergency room with severe breathing problems. I had just returned from an unplanned flight to another state and back to take my 39-year-old daughter off life support. (This was terrifying!) The ER staff were very responsive and worked quickly. I am very grateful that my husband was allowed to be with me the whole time. Thank you! The oxygen was not effective, and I was panicking. I could not breathe. I was so frightened. The staff asked me about CPR and if they could intubate me. I said, “No! I just had to extubate my daughter.” I knew that if I had the tube, I wouldn’t wake up.

Suddenly, another nurse came into the room. I felt she was there to help. She was wonderful! What the staff was doing wasn’t working and this nurse had a plan. She said, “She needs a BiPAP.” The other nurse said, “We can’t. She has COVID.” But Heidi said, “We have to. It’s what she needs.” I was gasping and I felt moments away from dying. I was trying so hard to breathe. I was fighting them because I couldn’t catch my breath. Heidi said, “You need to give her an anti-anxiolytic.” The next thing I knew, I was waking up with the BiPAP on. It was still difficult to breathe, but so reassuring to feel the air forced into my lungs. I was five days in the ICU, two days on BiPAP and I got a heart stent, as well.

All the hospital staff was so professional and kind – even the cleaning gals! But I felt nurse Heidi absolutely saved my life. My husband called her an angel! Therefore, we would very much like nurse Heidi to be recognized by her professional community for exemplary nursing. Knowledgeable, experienced, compassionate, inspiring, synergistic nursing! Thank you, Heidi, for saving my life!

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