Heidy J Ibarra-pelcastre
August 2024
Heidy J
Ibarra-pelcastre
,
RN
Emergency Department
Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center
Kernersville
,
NC
United States
Heidy demonstrated patience, trying many tricks to help my daughter be able to lay flat for the CT (unfortunately, none worked, but she sure tried), and she advocated for my daughter by making sure that her situation was taken seriously.
My daughter had surgery and was sent home that same day with hopes that she would have a fast, easy recovery. Unfortunately, she began to decline quickly that afternoon and evening to the point that she was in so much pain that she was crying uncontrollably. She knew something wasn't right. Her husband rushed her to Kernersville Medical Center, where that night, she met her guardian angel, Heidy.
It was first suspected that the gas used during her surgery was the cause of my daughter's pains. Over the course of almost 10 hours, she was given a multitude of different pain medications that did not relieve her pain. The doctor ordered a CT scan, but every time my daughter attempted to lie down, she would scream in pain.
Heidy was there every step of the way, comforting her and holding her hand. It took 5 hours and 4 attempts of trying to get a CT scan because of my daughter's inability to lie flat from the pain. Heidy demonstrated patience, trying many tricks to help my daughter be able to lay flat for the CT (unfortunately, none worked, but she sure tried), and she advocated for my daughter by making sure that her situation was taken seriously.
After the 4th and final successful attempt at the CT scan, her results showed that she had some internal bleeding. It was then that we were informed that this was a true medical emergency, and my daughter needed to immediately go back into surgery. At that moment, as we were finding out this information, Heidy's shift was ending and she could have easily just left but she stayed with us for a while to make sure my daughter was taken care of by the morning team coming in.
My daughter's surgery was a success, but she had to remain in the hospital for a few nights due to significant blood loss and other issues. During that time, we continued to talk about Heidy and just how wonderful she was. Imagine my daughter's surprise when Heidy made a surprise visit to her the following day in her hospital room!
There were so many little things that she did to make our experience remarkable, and I don't think we will ever be able to thank her enough. But I thank Heidy for being there for my daughter. Because of the care you demonstrated, you helped ease my fears as her mother during that scary situation.
It was first suspected that the gas used during her surgery was the cause of my daughter's pains. Over the course of almost 10 hours, she was given a multitude of different pain medications that did not relieve her pain. The doctor ordered a CT scan, but every time my daughter attempted to lie down, she would scream in pain.
Heidy was there every step of the way, comforting her and holding her hand. It took 5 hours and 4 attempts of trying to get a CT scan because of my daughter's inability to lie flat from the pain. Heidy demonstrated patience, trying many tricks to help my daughter be able to lay flat for the CT (unfortunately, none worked, but she sure tried), and she advocated for my daughter by making sure that her situation was taken seriously.
After the 4th and final successful attempt at the CT scan, her results showed that she had some internal bleeding. It was then that we were informed that this was a true medical emergency, and my daughter needed to immediately go back into surgery. At that moment, as we were finding out this information, Heidy's shift was ending and she could have easily just left but she stayed with us for a while to make sure my daughter was taken care of by the morning team coming in.
My daughter's surgery was a success, but she had to remain in the hospital for a few nights due to significant blood loss and other issues. During that time, we continued to talk about Heidy and just how wonderful she was. Imagine my daughter's surprise when Heidy made a surprise visit to her the following day in her hospital room!
There were so many little things that she did to make our experience remarkable, and I don't think we will ever be able to thank her enough. But I thank Heidy for being there for my daughter. Because of the care you demonstrated, you helped ease my fears as her mother during that scary situation.