Makayla Jenkins
July 2021
Makayla
Jenkins
,
RN
Critical Care Unit
Anderson Regional Health System
Meridian
,
MS MS
United States
Makayla cared for Mom as a person, not just a patient in a bed. She realized Mom needed interaction and she put herself at risk to make that happen.
My mother was in CCU with Covid at the beginning of January. During one of the scariest times in our family life, Makayla made it easier. She was so compassionate with Mom and reassured us every time we called to check on her. We drove an hour and a half every day to see Mom for 20 minutes because of Covid restrictions. We were so very thankful to the hospital for allowing even the 20 minutes. We feel like Mom wouldn't be with us if she couldn't have heard our voices. As Mom was being weaned off of the ventilator, Makayla allowed us to stay a little longer one day and help talk her through. Mom had only been able to maintain breathing without the vent for 10 minutes or so. With us in there, helping to calm her when she would breathe too fast, she made it 45 minutes. We knew Mom was mentally with us, though she couldn't respond verbally and very little physically because of mini-strokes. Makayla saw what we saw because she took the time to watch and communicate with Mom, though Mom couldn't communicate back. She cared for Mom as a person, not just a patient in a bed. She realized Mom needed interaction and she put herself at risk to make that happen. Mom had many nurses at Anderson, but Makayla was different. She was a joy to talk to and her kind spirit was evident in how she cared for Mom and our family. Mom has been to 5 facilities since Anderson. She has a long road ahead of her to recover, but because of Makayla, we didn't give up and neither did Mom.
I know if Mom could meet her, she would say thanks, but that is not enough. In a time where nurses were exhausted and in a hospital with a concentrated Covid unit, Makayla went above and beyond to make sure my mom was reassured of healing possibilities. So much so that my mom's facial expression and demeanor were different on days that Makayla was her nurse. I wish I knew her last name, and I pray she still works there so that she can read this. Mom is moving her left arm and both legs. She is no longer on a trach, and she mouths words and squeezes our hands to say yes and no. She has smiled when we laugh, and she puckers her lips to give us kisses when we lean down to her. She even squeezes us between her head and shoulder when we hug her. Mom has a lot of life left. Anderson Hospital, through nurses like Makayla, gave that to her. We are forever thankful. We will always remember her and unfortunately for all of Mom's other nurses, she is the standard by which they are judged. The phrase "She's no Makayla" has been used several times during Mom's recovery. Makayla set the bar high, and we pray blessings upon blessings on her, her family, and Anderson Hospital. Thank you all, but most of all, Thank you a million times, Makayla! We love you forever!
I know if Mom could meet her, she would say thanks, but that is not enough. In a time where nurses were exhausted and in a hospital with a concentrated Covid unit, Makayla went above and beyond to make sure my mom was reassured of healing possibilities. So much so that my mom's facial expression and demeanor were different on days that Makayla was her nurse. I wish I knew her last name, and I pray she still works there so that she can read this. Mom is moving her left arm and both legs. She is no longer on a trach, and she mouths words and squeezes our hands to say yes and no. She has smiled when we laugh, and she puckers her lips to give us kisses when we lean down to her. She even squeezes us between her head and shoulder when we hug her. Mom has a lot of life left. Anderson Hospital, through nurses like Makayla, gave that to her. We are forever thankful. We will always remember her and unfortunately for all of Mom's other nurses, she is the standard by which they are judged. The phrase "She's no Makayla" has been used several times during Mom's recovery. Makayla set the bar high, and we pray blessings upon blessings on her, her family, and Anderson Hospital. Thank you all, but most of all, Thank you a million times, Makayla! We love you forever!