Nurse Jackie is most deserving of this honor and is the living embodiment of excellence in the nursing profession. For me and my family, Mrs. Mincy is more than a nurse. She was a lifesaver, a compassionate friend, and an anchor of support during a very difficult time.
I first met Nurse Jackie when at seven months pregnant I was admitted to Labor and Delivery at Palmetto Health Richland and diagnosed with preeclampsia. As you can imagine, it was a scary time for me and my husband. It was out first child and we were filled with anxiety and in a constant state of worry. During my three weeks of bedrest in the hospital, I was cared for by some amazing nurses. Each one showed me compassion and helped me emotionally and physically handle the stress of my condition.
However, on that fateful day two years ago, Nurse Jackie and I forged an unforgettable bond. After a relatively uneventful day, my baby's heart rate dropped dangerously low. My husband had gone home to pick up a few things, and I was alone when the doctors and nurses rushed in. It was shortly determined that I was going to have an emergency caesarean. In a matter of seconds, I was on a stretcher and rushed to the Operating Room. Nurse Jackie held my hand and told me that we were in this together. She talked me through what was about to happen and what to expect. In the moments of panic, she was my anchor in a troubling storm. She gave me calm and helped me to focus on the task at hand. She whispered to me: "Focus on me, you can do this, I know you're scared, I know you think you are alone but you're not, we can do this, everything will be OK". As my anxiety gave way to unconsciousness, I realized that Nurse Jackie had given me hope. She then made sure my husband was called and was told about what was happening.
Hours later, as I regained consciousness, my husband held up his phone and showed me pictures of our miracle baby at birth. Jackie made sure that since I was asleep and my husband wasn't there, we would be able to share those first moments. I will always be profoundly grateful and indebted to her for this act of kindness. She was in our corner and made sure we had our memories.
My daughter is amazingly well and continues to grow into an active and bright toddler. I know that Jacqueline Mincy has seen and assisted in many births, but for me, she was doing more than her job that night. She showed us love, and for that, I will always remember her and the grace she showed me and my family. Palmetto Health Richland is blessed to have Mrs. Mincy on staff, but the patients are truly the beneficiaries. Nurses do amazing work and are often not given the accolades or appreciation they so richly deserve, so I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to share my story.