LaKisha Williams is everything my mother, my son, and I needed every day that she worked with us. My 11-year-old was admitted to Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, IL for Osteomyelitis of the left leg, axillary abscess, MSSA (methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus) septicemia in addition to the Type 1 Diabetes mellitus that he was diagnosed with at 4 years old. All that the aforementioned medical terms mean, to a 34-year-old mother of three; is that her only boy in more pain than his little body can handle and that there is nothing she can do to take it away.
Nurse LaKisha Williams did everything from helping us control his pain, ease his trauma through his physical therapy, counsel him through every change in his treatment plan, push him to fight the pain and trauma to do what he needs to do to keep his leg; as well as walk him through each and every step of his recovery, holding his hand with a mother's love the whole way. She made sure that I participated in the bedside rounds so that I not only stay informed; but also to have the opportunity to voice my concerns and ask questions. This was both empowering and therapeutic for a young mother whose only son is in this position; because I have never felt so helpless or impotent in my life. This hospitalization was more traumatic and heartbreaking for my son, family, friends, and myself than when he was diagnosed and admitted with type 1 diabetes at 4 years of age.
Due to the fact that I have two other children and a spouse; I could not spend every waking hour with my son like I desperately wanted to. My husband is a Rail Operator for the Chicago Transit Authority. My eldest daughter is 13 years old and my other daughter is 11 years old. Thanks to the exceptional care that nurse LaKisha Williams provided; my child was able to be without his mother; whom every physician from Infectious Disease can attest to the fact that he ordinarily cannot live without. She consistently met all of the following criteria:
Clinical Expertise- By talking to every physician from every team and ensuring the best treatment plan possible for my son; while taking into account my knowledge, recommendations, and concerns. Training me personally on how to administer antibiotics through a PICC Central Venous Catheter which I have to do for almost a month. I am proud to say I have been doing it successfully to date every eight hours thanks to her.
Leader- She is a very tough act to follow, but when she hands off her patient at the end of her shift she makes sure that her patient and his family do not suffer too much from the change. The next nurse knows her patient almost as well as she does because she makes sure of it.
Patient and Family Advocate- She talks to us about every change, every decision, and educates the patient and his family on the medical logic behind each and every decision being made; and answers every question we may have. If there is a problem or a concern with a decision, she either communicates it to the physicians on our behalf; or finds the appropriate moment and forum for the parent and patient to do so. A prime example of this is on the day my child was to be transferred to RIC for inpatient physical therapy for at least another week. LaKisha Williams knew her patient was heartbroken and refusing to eat which is very dangerous for a type 1 diabetic. My son had already lost 4lbs during his 15-day stay. I was not willing, nor able to sustain another week in a hospital and felt both frustrated and impotent. She encouraged me to participate in the bedside rounds discussion where I felt confident enough and empowered enough as a parent to voice my concerns and obvious disdain for the change. Once the physicians and I engaged in a much-needed discussion; both parties agreed that the best thing for my son would be to go home and receive outpatient services instead. I am pleased to report that everyone was right and he is happy and well on his way to recovery.
Knowledgeable- She is able to instruct a 34-year old mother and ease her from panic and confusion in a 5-10 minute tutorial. She can teach an 11-year old future Endocrinologist/and Diabetic everything he needs to know and why he has to and needs to do it for his own good; which everyone on staff on that 21st floor of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago can tell you is no easy task.
Excellent Communicator- One conversation with her will leave you quiet and question free. I say that humbled and with a great deal of affection. Anyone who knows me and has read one of my letters for either good or bad reason can also tell you; that once again that this is not an easy task. Just ask my mother who has been excusing my candor with everyone she knows her for 30 years.
A Force on the Unit- She is not only a force to be reckoned with and an impossible act to follow; but she personally gathered the names and positions of every nurse and CNA who worked with my son, so that I could compose a 7-page letter to their superior and give them their well-deserved accolades. Words cannot express my love and gratitude for RN LaKisha Williams. I can never thank her enough for what she did for my son and me. Giving her this award would mean everything to us because short of paying her to be my son's personal nurse; I could not reward her myself in the way I think she deserves. She is a true DAISY Nurse.