Lisa Didier
October 2021
Lisa
Didier
,
RN
C4
Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center
Lakeland
,
FL
United States

 

 

 

I would call each day and I would hear stories of Lisa and Mom and her voice was uplifted through the darkest parts of the hospital experience.
My mother-in-law was admitted to the hospital where she spent 2 days on the "D" floor. I would talk to Mom each day, checking in making sure everything was going as well as could be expected, not knowing what was really going on. On the third of her stay, she was moved to the "C" floor. That is when she met Lisa for the first time. Lisa spent time in the room with Mom, they got to know a lot about each other within the next few days. I would call each day and I would hear stories of Lisa and Mom and her voice was uplifted through the darkest parts of the hospital experience. I know Lisa was there beside Mom when she got the diagnosis of the horrible "C" word (Cancer). Mom told me she went through the emotions of it all but said, MY Nurse, Lisa was right there. She is so amazing that she would love for her to come over and visit and she could cook for Lisa and her little daughter. Mom just lit up again telling me the stories after she came home, tears in her eyes and mine. I knew Lisa had her even when I couldn't be there beside mom.

Mom was readmitted due to fluid on her lungs and hypoxia. Mom texted Lisa the next day. On Lisa's lunch break she came to check in on Mom, Mom was in a state of confusion and didn't understand what was going on. She saw Lisa and her eyes lit up but then was trying to understand why Lisa was there. Lisa wanted to make sure Mom was taking her medicine and eating right. I visited Mom on Sunday and she told me about her experience with the other nurses. But then she told me Lisa came to visit and she was much better.

Lisa is a Godsend because she truly cares for her patients always. The connection that Mom and Lisa share is so special and I know this world could use more people like Lisa.

***

I met Lisa when I was transferred to her floor. Right away we started cutting up with each other. Lisa then asked me what she could do to make my stay at the hospital better. I answered, "Food, I need food." But I told her I don't eat normal breakfast food. She asked what I ate. I said, "Chicken, pork chops- if it isn't regular breakfast food I eat it". She caught one of the dietary ladies and brought her to my room. There the lady told us what was available and that is when I got grilled cheese and tomato soup. Lisa always made sure my food was hot. She and I became really good friends. We laughed and cut up about everything. She was there by my side when I got the diagnosis of cancer and she told me, "You are strong enough to beat this. Don't let it get you down."

I was released then readmitted for fluid on my lungs and hypoxia. I texted Lisa the next day and she showed up when I was in really bad shape. I didn't know who I was. She came during her lunch hour to make sure I was eating and taking my medicine and to sit with me for a little bit. If ever there was someone who had wings... It's Lisa.