Often, especially as of lately, with the negative media and division in our country, we often only hear the negative stories. I have a very positive story that I want to share with you. ​ ​ My husband, W, became very sick with COVID pneumonia in September. I dropped him off at the entrance to the Chambersburg Hospital emergency department around 0430 and I remember thinking, as I watched him walk through those doors, that something significant was going to happen, but this was not the last time I was going to see him. A strange thought, but I never imagined what was ahead of us. ​ ​ He rapidly required more oxygen on high flow nasal cannula, he did not tolerate using the Bipap, and the doctor called me the next day asking if W will be intubated. 

Kaitlyn, on MedSurg, was his nurse the day that it was decided that he needed to be electively intubated before he decompensated further. He was maxed out on O2 with the high flow nasal cannula, he was having bronchospasms that would cause him to desat, and he was too tired and short of breath to hold a conversation with me and our 14-month-old son via FaceTime.  W is 42 years old in good health with no co-morbidities. ​ ​

Kaitlyn was a true angel to both my husband and me that day. She kept W calm while he struggled to breathe during bronchospasms staying by his side. It took about half an hour to get a room in ICU once the decision was made to intubate. He called me via FaceTime and said his goodbyes; we have been married for 22 years, he is the love of my life, my high school sweetheart, and he was saying goodbye to me and our son who was a true miracle given to us late in life. ​ ​ No one can ever prepare themselves for that kind of conversation. Kaitlyn, stood by his side while we had that emotional conversation, helped to keep him calm, and reminded him to control his breathing. Once the FaceTime call was over, she called my phone and kept me on the line while we waited for an ICU bed. She said that she wanted me to be able to hear him because I could not be there with him during that difficult time. She would calmly talk to me and W, and she would tell me what he was doing. He looked at pictures on his phone and sent some texts to people that he loves. Kaitlyn was not able to let me come and physically be with my husband that day, but she gave me the next best thing, to be there when I could not. She kept us both calm, and thank you and appreciation for those moments, do not seem adequately revealed in words.

The kindness she extended us both will never be forgotten, and she is truly an angel doing God’s work. She prayed with us both prior to him being taken to be intubated. The peace that extended to both of us was immeasurable.

I am very proud of the care that Chambersburg Hospital provided W during his time there. He was on the ventilator for 7 days and was discharged shortly after. It was bittersweet to watch him being wheeled out of the main doors that day. I was able to touch and hold the man I have loved for so long. The care that your staff gives means something to the patients they give it to, and W felt important and like he was a priority the entire time he remembers being there. I knew they were very busy during that time, but it was never reflected in the conversations that were exchanged with me and the care extended to W. COVID can and has taken a lot away from all of us, but it cannot take our kindness, it cannot take away our ability to care, and it cannot take away the love that we have the ability to extend to one another, and that was evident with myself and W during his stay at Chambersburg Hospital. Thank you!

Note: This is Kaitlyn's 3rd DAISY Award!