Holly Bowman
December 2018
Holly
Bowman
,
RN
Pre-op
Portneuf Medical Center
Pocatello
,
ID
United States

 

 

 

I was diagnosed with cancer. After additional tests and procedures, I was scheduled immediately for laparoscopic surgery. I found myself in pre-op, without having really caught my breath since my diagnosis. What a wonderful help it was for me to have Holly assigned as my pre-op surgical nurse. She was so thoughtful as she professionally answered my questions. She shared a personal story with me about her son's battle with cancer. She inherently knew how to mentally and physically prepare me for surgery. During the few hours that I spent with Holly, I was able to relax and become confident my surgery would be a success. During this time, she was orienting a new nurse and she was very patient and efficient with her instructions. I was impressed with her manner, not only with me but her fellow employees as well. When I was in the recovery room, I heard the nurse ask how I was doing. Recovery Room personnel asked if I was a friend and Holly said that she sort of fell in love with me.
***
Holly was so sweet to our son with special needs and went above and beyond to make him unafraid of his upcoming procedure. He was having a very difficult time in recovery but the minute she came in and helped, he calmed down. She connected with him at a deeper level and it was exactly what he needed. he made a new friend. She explained everything to us, answered all our questions as parents- but most important was her compassion and kindness she showed our son. She listened to him, was very attentive to his needs, found out how best to communicate with him, asked us how he expressed his pain, made sure that she understood him before we left to go to the waiting room. We couldn't have hand-picked a better nurse for our son.