June 2021
Justine
Rappleyea
,
RN
Labor and Delivery
Albany Medical Center
Albany
,
NY
United States
The following morning when we woke up and my wife was exhausted and feeling down there was Justine again going out of her way offering to do my wife's hair for her.
Upon arrival at Albany Med for our child's birth, we were greeted by Justine. It was during shift change but Justine welcomed us and let us know she would be back in the evening for her next shift. We immediately felt from the brief exchange we were going to get good care. Little did we know just how exceptional it was going to be during the circumstances that were about to occur. After being in labor most of the day it was time to push around 5:30 pm. After about an hour of pushing, Justine arrived to start her shift and immediately began helping my wife through the pushing when needed, holding her hand, whatever was needed during the process. After several hours of pushing my wife had given all she had and the baby would not come. It was determined a C section was going to be necessary. This was a very stressful decision in which Justine comforted my wife and me and let us know she would be ok. Justine helped my wife into the OR letting me know she would be in good hands and she would get me when ready. Once in the OR, my wife would have a blood hemorrhage, changing one of the most exciting moments in our lives into one of the scariest. During this extremely stressful situation, there was Justine at my wife's side massaging her head, holding her hand, and letting her know she was in good hands and she would be ok. Seeing this game me great comfort during this difficult time. Upon a successful and very stressful procedure that would require a blood transfusion for my wife, Justine was right by our side the entire night offering to heat up my food during late hours of the night and even offering food from her own dinner since everything was closed and I was absolutely starving from not eating for most of the day. She took care of us through the night and got us anything we needed. The following morning when we woke up and my wife was exhausted and feeling down there was Justine again going out of her way offering to do my wife's hair for her. That small but giant gesture was huge considering all my wife had just gone through to make her feel a little better about herself. I honestly can tell you I don't know how my wife and I could have gone through these tough circumstances without her. She was an angel.