May 2021
Kimberly C
Lewis
,
BSN, RN
Emergency Department
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Waxahachie
Waxahachie
,
TX
United States
Kimberly Lewis will not know how much I appreciated her on that day. I will always remember our short conversation and meaningful prayer.
I would like to take a few minutes to share a memorable experience at the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Waxahachie, TX. I was tested and diagnosed with COVID-19 early May 2020 and a few days later I was in the hospital at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center for 7 to 8 days. I lost 28 lbs in 7 days, very weak and no appetite with a history of childhood asthma. It was not a good experience and I did not know if I was going to be around to live. (Sometimes we take living, speaking, walking and strength for granted). My family in Virginia had no physical access to me and I did not have enough strength to communicate with them. My attitude was shot at times maybe because of the fear of not knowing, frustration, limited communication, or just overwhelmed by the situation.
As I sat in the E.R. running a fever with low oxygen levels and feeling isolated, a few nurses came in and checked my vitals without any communication and left the room. (I understood the fear from a professional & personal perspective). However, RN Kimberly Lewis will not know how much I appreciated her on that day. I will always remember our short conversation and meaningful prayer. 1) She asked: How are you doing? I responded with a weary OK. 2) She responded: it is going to be OK. My response was an emotional silence. 3) She asked: Do you mind if i pray with you? Me with watery eyes responded, yes, please! In hindsight, there was just a sincere voice of concern on her part. I assumed she saw fear and loneliness in me. She was considerate enough to be thoughtful and kind.
I have never met Ms. Lewis prior to contracting COVID-19 and recently I got a chance to visit the ER (7 months later) to say thank you. Often, we do not get the opportunity to say thanks for your service and professionalism and share the appreciation of other professionals doing a great job. On that day, at that time, I needed to hear, "Do you mind if I pray with you?" I cannot tell how many times I have remembered those kind words. There have been 260,000 souls lost and counting since the start of the pandemic. Thank you, Kimberly Lewis for your kindness. It did not go un-noticed and un-appreciated. May you continue to be a blessing to others and Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Waxahachie, TX.
As I sat in the E.R. running a fever with low oxygen levels and feeling isolated, a few nurses came in and checked my vitals without any communication and left the room. (I understood the fear from a professional & personal perspective). However, RN Kimberly Lewis will not know how much I appreciated her on that day. I will always remember our short conversation and meaningful prayer. 1) She asked: How are you doing? I responded with a weary OK. 2) She responded: it is going to be OK. My response was an emotional silence. 3) She asked: Do you mind if i pray with you? Me with watery eyes responded, yes, please! In hindsight, there was just a sincere voice of concern on her part. I assumed she saw fear and loneliness in me. She was considerate enough to be thoughtful and kind.
I have never met Ms. Lewis prior to contracting COVID-19 and recently I got a chance to visit the ER (7 months later) to say thank you. Often, we do not get the opportunity to say thanks for your service and professionalism and share the appreciation of other professionals doing a great job. On that day, at that time, I needed to hear, "Do you mind if I pray with you?" I cannot tell how many times I have remembered those kind words. There have been 260,000 souls lost and counting since the start of the pandemic. Thank you, Kimberly Lewis for your kindness. It did not go un-noticed and un-appreciated. May you continue to be a blessing to others and Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Waxahachie, TX.