A few weeks ago, I was in a really bad place both physically and mentally. I have been trying for the past year to be reduced off the Fentanyl patches I used for my pain control, which was a personal decision, and has not been easy. During this time, I was in the process of being tapered yet again, and my new prescriptions were not available for a few days, meaning I was without pain control and in excruciating pain. I sought out assistance from crisis services and CVMC ER but was sent home. As I left there I told myself I would never ask for their assistance again, never walk through those doors begging for help only to be turned away with not even a Tylenol. I was in extreme pain and discomfort, I was having some very intense flashbacks and nightmares. I wasn't able to sleep, get comfortable or even walk. I was at a place where talking about ending my life was more realistic, and I was planning it. At that moment I called IPP, it was 2 am, and Katy answered, and even though it's not her job to talk me through this crisis, she did. She kept me on the phone, talking to me, making sure that I was safe, would remain safe, and made sure that crisis knew that I was in a bad place after our call. She took the time to make sure that I was okay. She listened, gave me encouragement, and suggestions to help ease my pain. She got me through that rough night, and I actually slept some, because I was comfortable and in the moment pain-free. Katy went above and beyond because if it wasn't for her I wouldn't be alive. Katy spent several nights talking to me on the phone, trying to get me to talk to the crisis workers, Katy even got yelled at by crisis workers on 2 different occasions because the crisis worker wanted me to wait hours and hours (and take the bus) before coming to the hospital or not come into the hospital at all. Katy could hear and understood that I was in a different place this time. She listened and encouraged me to come in, even though I kept saying I wasn't going to come. She was concerned enough about me, she called the screeners, to try to get me help, but was yelled at- by me and them. I greatly appreciate her and her patience with me. Mostly because she knew I wasn't safe and that I was in physical pain beyond belief and felt like there were no other options for me besides ending everything. Katy didn't get off the phone with me until I was able to say that I would remain safe.
The next night I called her, and Katy talked me into coming to the hospital. Even then, she stayed on the phone with me as I waited for the ambulance to pick me up, as I was anxious about the way I'd be treated. She just kept telling me, "K, just get in the ambulance, just do what they ask, let them get your vitals, and stop talking. Just get in the ambulance. Once you're here, everything else will be taken care of." And she was right, if she hadn't talked me through that, I probably wouldn't have gotten in the ambulance. The guy was being a little sarcastic, and I was getting defensive. She talked me through everything. She is able to make sense of things that just don't sometimes. "it's the end of his shift, K, imagine what his night's been like, and now he's got you giving him a hard time. Just get in the ambulance. He just wants to go to bed." She's real and I appreciate that more than anything. Real, honest, kind, understanding, supportive, compassionate, and without a doubt the most amazing Psych nurse on IPP.
I appreciate Katy's hard work, caring heart, and willingness to go above her duties to help me out when she knew I was in a crisis. She has without a doubt been the most supportive and compassionate nurse that I've ever worked with. She treats every patient with kindness, understanding and a warm smile. She doesn't pass judgment or treat with preconceived stigma based attitude. Katy is always smiling and willing to help you, sit with you, talk, color, or just listen and sometimes that's more important than the medication.