I was admitted to Good Samaritan Hospital to give birth to my daughter. My night shift nurse, Jackie Martini, came in and introduced herself. Right from the start, she was extremely pleasant and helpful in getting me what I needed. I had an epidural at this point so I couldn't get up and out of bed to do anything by myself. It was a long labor, and we went back and forth all night with starting and stopping Pitocin seeing as my baby was having a bad reaction to it. Finally, before midnight we decided it was time for a C-section as it was safer for baby to get her out. Jackie was there every step of the way, telling me everything would be okay. This was my first pregnancy and labor so I was trying not to freak out. She was positive and encouraging.
Once my little girl was delivered, Jackie was there to make sure my after birth went as I had planned since the C-section was not a part of my plan. She was making sure I got my skin to skin contact and that people besides my husband were kept out of the room so the three of us could have bonding time. That's when things took a terrible turn. I was bleeding internally but we didn't know it yet. Jackie came in to check on me and I told her how I was feeling, I was sweating profusely and couldn't stay awake. My blood pressure was 40/22. She reacted quickly and efficiently to get everyone's help that she could. I was surrounded by nurses and the on-call doctor (who was beyond amazing too) to figure out what was going on. I was pretty out of it at this point but what I've been told, is that Jackie was there comforting my family and making sure I understood what was going on when I was conscious. The next thing I know is that I'm being taken back into the OR to check for internal bleeding. Jackie and the doctor walked me quickly through what they were going to be looking for and what they were planning to do to make sure I made it out alive. I told them to do what they have to in order to save my life. And then I was unconscious again. I came to towards the end of my surgery. The first face I saw over the curtain was Jackie's. Followed by the doctor. I remember them telling me how great I did throughout the surgery, but unfortunately, they had to do a hysterectomy to stop the bleeding. It was heartbreaking especially since I'm only 28 years old and wasn't ready to be done having kids. But they did what I said and saved my life. At this time, it was almost time for Jackie to go home as her shift was over. She stayed with me till recovery and made sure I was settled into the high-risk room as comfortably as I could be. After she gave report to the next nurse, she came in to say goodbye and gave me a hug.
I fully believe that if she hadn't been my nurse, and I had a different nurse/doctor combination that I would not be here today. She reacted so quickly and calmly to everything that happened that night. She knew exactly what to do and say for me and my family. She went above and beyond to make sure we were all okay. Thanks to her I'm here today holding my baby girl and getting to watch her grow. She literally saved my life and for that, I will always be grateful to her.