My second child decided to make an early entrance into the world. With his early arrival, this required me to be taken to surgery very shortly after his birth. Jesse, the CRNA, was on staff that night and I cannot applaud the care he provided enough. As expected, I was nervous and very scared given the circumstances. As I entered the OR, Jesse continuously talked to me, reassured me, and went as far as making a connection with me about his son.
I tried my hardest to make light of the situation and remain my humorous self, stating, "I just want a Mountain Dew!" while the surgical team was getting ready. After the procedure, I returned to my room and Jesse followed, making sure my recovery was appropriate. After he ensured I was stable, he left my room routinely. Approximately 10 minutes after he had left, he returned with a Mountain Dew. Although it may seem like a silly gesture, it made the biggest impression on my stay.
Jesse defines what making a true connection with a patient is, finding a deeper meaning than just providing medications and assessing a patient's status. The connection still holds a very special place in my heart today and it is a memory that will be dear to me forever. Thank you, Jesse.