I have had a pump for 21 years and until recently, I was always filled by doctors in the hospital or surgical center. I received my first pump in early 1998. I think I only had my first or second fill by my doctor when they decided to change me to a home health nurse to fill my pump at home (not Pentec). So she filled me once in front of my doctor and did fine. Then she came to my home 2 maybe 3 times doing an ok job. I'm not sure now but it was the third or fourth fill when she came late because of the weather and so when she began she was obviously in a hurry when she started to push the medicine in I told her I felt something cold and wet feeling inside me. Note: I am new to this pump business, I really don't know much about things at this point. I must take what she says for the way it is and she knows what's what. Ok, two minutes later I tell her a second time, I feel something cold and wet inside me, I never felt this before but I haven't had many fills yet and at this point, I'm not very educated on this just yet! She tells me, no problem that's normal. She is still working in a hurried manner and it's obvious. It is late in the day, she was quite late and maybe she has to be somewhere else yet, I don't know, so she finishes and pulls the needle out. She was getting her stuff together and I was still in my recliner and I told her I don't feel quite right and I went to get up and that's all I remember. I guess I passed out. Now I'm speaking from my wife's perspective. She said when I passed out the nurse didn't know what to do, she froze! My wife immediately called 911 and my doctor. The nurse did nothing, my wife saved my life! End result: She injected me subcutaneously with 20 ml of clonidine. I spent the next 12 days or so in a coma and in intensive care on a respirator, it messed me up in so many ways I don't even remember. I was seeing every kind of doctor I know for years. That changed my life forever! I would never be the same it was a terrible experience for my family. My younger son had a really hard time from this. I suffered bad with PTSD and my life was never the same.
When my pain management decided to not have doctors fill pumps anymore, my doctor who has been filling my pump for some time now, was able to convince them that I was a special case and he continued to fill me. Well, that only lasted a short time (1 or 2 refills) and now I had to have it done by a nurse, even with my history and bad PTSD. I was told a nurse, Lori, (from Pentec) was assigned my case and I would be hearing from her. So I got a call from her soon and she introduced herself. From her first words, I knew I was going to like her. She asked, could she come and see me so we could fill out a bunch of paperwork so it didn't have to be done when I came for my next pump refill. She came to see me at my home sometime in October and we got to know each other I got to explain my situation with the PTSD, etc. Nurse Lori was so impressive to me with the way she came so totally prepared with her paperwork, etc. Everything was done before she came. We had a very nice visit and she left me being very impressed with her. I knew then already that I was going to like her.
A few days before my pump fill date she texted me to remind me of my pump fill and asked if I was still on. I thought that was nice. The day before my fill date, she texted me again just saying "Hi and I'll see you tomorrow". Again, I thought this was good. So we met at the office for my fill, my first one with Nurse Lori. She had a way of making me feel so comfortable for my fill. She made me aware of everything she was doing, she was very "by the book", so to speak. I learned a lot over the last 20 years since my overdose, things that should be and not be, she did everything right and so effortlessly, I was very impressed with Nurse Lori!
To date I have now had 7 pump fills with Nurse Lori, I got so lucky to get her, we have a good relationship, we text each other routinely about my fill date, etc. It's been just under a year now that she has been filling my pump and I no longer shake uncontrollably as I did for the last 20 years. What Nurse Lori did to change that is nothing less than remarkable. Her kindness and professionalism can't be stated enough. To almost, if not totally, rid me of PTSD I was dealing with, to where you had to see to appreciate it. Just unbelievable, I could shake for days around pump fill time. For years I have had doctors fight to get into my pump sticking me over and over and even using fluoroscope at times. Nurse Lori for 7 times now has just stuck the needle right in, with no problem, she is great! I could go on and on about Nurse Lori!
Nurse Lori really has changed things for me, my wife likes her as well. She is prepared at each fill with everything possible, her professionalism can't be beaten, and it's my honor to nominate Nurse Lori for this award. She is a true DAISY Nurse.