I have been a patient at Saint Vincent Hospital and the Infusion Center since March of 2015 when I was diagnosed with GBS/CIDP. This diagnosis turned my entire life and world upside down. Having always been a very independent person who rarely asked for help, I was suddenly, overnight, helpless and relying upon the nurses, doctors and PCA's at the hospital for everything from AOL's to being able to turn over while sleeping. Eventually, the disease paralyzed me from my neck down which sent me to a nursing home for a week where I developed PE that almost took my life. Emergency procedures and 4 days in Cardiac ICU saved my life. After that, I have had a very, very long recuperation which continues today.
The care and compassion of the nurses on the IV team and then those at the infusion center when all of my veins were blown and I still needed to get my IViG infusions every other week for four days was incredible. After trying to put a PICC line in which would not stay in my arm and even after three shots of lidocaine to numb it was still one of the most painful things I have ever endured, the nurses helped me talk to the doctors about getting a power port to eliminate that pain completely to be able to concentrate on healing. The stress of the needle pricks had taken its toll on me and my anxiety was through the roof. After getting the power port, the nurses educated me on it and what I need to know about it in case it needs to be accessed elsewhere and they might not be aware that I need a one-inch needle, the port is deep and tilted and how they need to steady it to access it.
Each and every one of these nurses has held my hand when I have been in pain, been there for me through the tears and anxiety of the unknown, never made me feel inferior for needing to use a Hoyer lift, wheelchair, walker, or cane. They have helped me with eating, toileting and just getting through my treatments. I tend to brush things off that are going on medically and they encourage me to talk to my doctors about what is going on with my health for the best treatment possible.
They have celebrated each of my small victories of not needing the lift, the wheelchair, the walker and the cane. They have been there through everything and showed care and compassion for me, my life and my quality of life. Each of them is like family now and I know I would not be walking unassisted now and back to work full time while still getting my infusions without each and every one of them. Each and every one of the four hours I spend with them eight days per month is now relaxing and comfortable. Everyone knows my name and I feel more comfortable there each and every time I go. They deserve this recognition from the hospital and even more!
Thank you to Saint Vincent Hospital, The Infusion Center and Allegheny Health Network for diagnosing me when others couldn't, treating me with care, compassion and dignity and helping me to heal to the best of my ability.