Laurie Darby
July 2024
Laurie
Darby
,
BSN, RN
Emergency Department
Southwestern Vermont Medical Center
Bennington
,
VT
United States
When I said I was concerned that I was taking her away from her duties, Laurie said, "But that's what I'm here for, to help people."
I am a 90-year-old, very active widow and resident of Vermont. I am a patient of Dr. T at the Deerfield Valley Medical Center here in Wilmington and also at the hospital in Bennington.
Dr. T referred me to SVMC Imaging for a CT head scan with contrast as a result of a brief loss of peripheral vision in my left eye while I waited in the car for my wellness appointment. She told me I would be contacted by Imaging to set up the appointment, and when I anxiously awaited the appointment call I called Imaging and was offered a 3:30 appointment with instructions to fast for 4 hours prior to the test. While I was concerned about the late appointment, I realized it may take a considerable amount of time to get a more convenient appointment. I planned my day so that I could have both breakfast and lunch early and still be fasting for 4 hours.
I was very anxious about the test and even more about the injection of contrast, but the nurse was kind, patient, and encouraging, and the scan was without incident. However, after leaving the Imaging department, I walked down the hall and felt disoriented and somewhat weak, and I thought I would feel better if I had something to eat and drink. The snack bar was locked behind steel gates! The receptionist said it closes at 3 pm, and when I asked if there was a vending machine, she referred me "Around the corner in the Emergency Room." I could not find a vending machine.
Still not feeling strong enough to go outside to the parking lot, I sat about half an hour outside the emergency room when a young woman came out and asked if she could help. She asked what I wanted to eat and drink, and I told her I would eat and drink anything at all she could locate. I wasn't fussy!
She returned about half an hour later, apologizing that it took so long (but she wasn't able to locate the food), with ginger ale and a "snack box" with several pieces of turkey breast, cheese and crackers, and a container of water! She sat down next to me and engaged me in conversation while I ate and drank every bit of the food and drink! When I protested that I wanted to pay her for the items, she refused, and I was concerned that I was keeping her from her nursing duties. She didn't leave me until I finished everything and was sure I was safe to drive the 20 miles back to Wilmington alone.
This nurse was my "guardian angel," and I learned from our conversation that she worked at SVMC for many years. When I said I was concerned that I was taking her away from her duties, she said, "But that's what I'm here for, to help people."
Dr. T referred me to SVMC Imaging for a CT head scan with contrast as a result of a brief loss of peripheral vision in my left eye while I waited in the car for my wellness appointment. She told me I would be contacted by Imaging to set up the appointment, and when I anxiously awaited the appointment call I called Imaging and was offered a 3:30 appointment with instructions to fast for 4 hours prior to the test. While I was concerned about the late appointment, I realized it may take a considerable amount of time to get a more convenient appointment. I planned my day so that I could have both breakfast and lunch early and still be fasting for 4 hours.
I was very anxious about the test and even more about the injection of contrast, but the nurse was kind, patient, and encouraging, and the scan was without incident. However, after leaving the Imaging department, I walked down the hall and felt disoriented and somewhat weak, and I thought I would feel better if I had something to eat and drink. The snack bar was locked behind steel gates! The receptionist said it closes at 3 pm, and when I asked if there was a vending machine, she referred me "Around the corner in the Emergency Room." I could not find a vending machine.
Still not feeling strong enough to go outside to the parking lot, I sat about half an hour outside the emergency room when a young woman came out and asked if she could help. She asked what I wanted to eat and drink, and I told her I would eat and drink anything at all she could locate. I wasn't fussy!
She returned about half an hour later, apologizing that it took so long (but she wasn't able to locate the food), with ginger ale and a "snack box" with several pieces of turkey breast, cheese and crackers, and a container of water! She sat down next to me and engaged me in conversation while I ate and drank every bit of the food and drink! When I protested that I wanted to pay her for the items, she refused, and I was concerned that I was keeping her from her nursing duties. She didn't leave me until I finished everything and was sure I was safe to drive the 20 miles back to Wilmington alone.
This nurse was my "guardian angel," and I learned from our conversation that she worked at SVMC for many years. When I said I was concerned that I was taking her away from her duties, she said, "But that's what I'm here for, to help people."