Nurses often leave a lasting impact on the patients they interact with, but some stories and bonds are ones that are unmatched. One teenage patient, who had been at Glennon on many occasions, nominated Lexis based on the relationship that they formed during her time here. This patient was so inspired by the actions of Lexis that she uses a photo of the two of them as a reminder of the impact that she had on her life:
I am a patient at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. I was admitted to Cardinal Glennon with COVID-19 and my care was absolutely fantastic. All the nurses, doctors, and respiratory therapists did an amazing job working together to give me the best treatment possible. I have been coming to Cardinal Glennon since I was 2 years old, which I'm now 19 years old and have always had extraordinary care by nurses both on the floor and in the clinic, but I was particularly impacted by this stay by Lexis Garner on 3 South.
Lexis was the first nurse I had when I got moved from PICU to 3 South and the nurse who got to discharge me after 12 days of being in the hospital. I had Lexis for four out of my eight days on 3 South. When I got moved out of PICU, I still was not feeling good at all and I was still extremely scared with all the unknowns COVID-19 brought with it. All my other nurses were fantastic (I want to emphasize that because I know it is hard to put your health at risk each and every day and still be positive), but Lexis brought this new positivity and energy into my room. She was bubbly the moment she walked into my room until the moment she left each and every time. I could tell she was smiling from ear to ear under the mask.
I remember her telling me, "We are a team and are going to fight this thing together." That really stuck with me because it is one thing for a nurse to do what they have to by giving medicine and taking vitals, but it is another thing to be in the fight with the patient and to advocate for their every need. This is exactly what Lexis did for me. She wanted to be in the room every time a doctor was in and after we always talked to make sure we were on the same page. Lexis looked out for me and my mom at all times. Since we were in isolation, my mom couldn't leave the room to get anything, whether it be things friends were dropping off or even just food and drink. Each time before she came into my room she would ask if we needed absolutely anything, and she would ask the same thing each time she left. She made several trips down to the lobby to pick up goodie bags and clothes people had dropped off for us, which she always did with enthusiasm.
No other nurse pushed me in ways like Lexis. She asked doctors the first day I was on the unit if I could try and take a shower with her assistance just so I could feel somewhat human. She advocated that I start on some low-impact physical therapy so I could gain strength back. She made sure that I would at least eat some of three meals a day to keep my energy up. She went above and beyond to make sure all my physical and emotional needs were met.
In addition to her exceptional treatment and bedside manner, Lexis became almost like a friend to me, and she was definitely a huge role model. She asked about my family, my friends, my interests, and what I wanted to do in the future. When I told her I was going to nursing school this year, she got so excited and gave me tricks and tips on how to succeed. She told me that it was patients like me that make going to work each day fun and rewarding and that meant so much to me because as a COVID patient I always thought I was that patient nurses tried to avoid.
Lexis became the nurse role model that I wanted to be in four years. I have the picture of us when I was discharged above my desk so each day I do homework I can be reminded of the impact she had on my life. Every day when I was on 3 South I hoped I would get Lexis because I always knew it would be a good day. When I got discharged, I was actually a little sad to be leaving (which has never happened in my 17 years at Cardinal Glennon) because I wouldn't get to see Lexis and talk to her almost every day. When I was leaving, we both had tears in our eyes. Lexis told me I was a very special patient and that she can't wait to see me in four years on the other side of the bed, which was really special to me.I will never forget the care I got from Lexis and the interactions I had with her. Every patient she has from now on is the luckiest patient in the world because they will get the absolute best care.