I am writing in regard to a recent exceptional experience I had at Reston Hospital because of a compassionate, observant, skilled, truly outstanding ER Nurse named Malorie. During the most difficult day of my life, Malorie noticed that I was overwhelmed, likely in a state of shock. She kept me from becoming a medical emergency and I was not even the patient that day in the ER. You see, my robust, seemingly healthy husband, J, had stopped breathing in our home. I gave him chest compressions immediately as my niece called 911. The EMTs defibrillated him, established a pulse and took him to Reston Hospital. By the time I arrived at the ER, I was in a state of abject terror. I had just watched my beloved husband "die" as I knelt by him on our kitchen floor. I had counted the minutes between his last breath and having his pulse re-established and felt that if he survived he would not be "himself." My whole world had changed and I was adrift in a storm. And in the middle of that turmoil, Nurse Malorie walked over to me. She told me that the hordes of medical professionals surrounding J were taking care of him, that he was in the best, most capable hands and that she would like to take care of me. Like a lifeguard, she noticed me drowning, fading into oblivion. I told her that the man they're working on is special, the most special man on earth and that he is my life. I am sure, as I say it, that she must hear that from everyone, but in this case, I know that it is the truth. As we talked, her voice calmed me and the dark tunnel around my vision receded. Nurse Malorie stayed beside me, making sure I was okay, explaining things until J was moved to the ICU. Nurse Malorie said she would check up on J and me in the coming days. She is, I recall thinking later that day, an angel. Nurse Malorie did check up on J, visiting him in the ICU, and she found me in the ICU waiting room two days later. It gave me great peace to see her and visit with her. I will always remember her. She set the tone for our time at Reston Hospital.
I am thrilled to report that J is home now, after undergoing Hypothermic protocol to stop any further damage, cardiac catheterization showed that his V-fib was caused by 3 blockages. He was flown several days later to another hospital where he received a triple bypass. He is, amazingly, recovering at home now, and except for missing a few days in his memory (the day of the event and two days prior), he is doing very well. So now it is time for us to thank some very special people, and Nurse Malorie is one of those very special people. It is important to me and to J that we thank the people who are responsible for us making it through that very difficult time, allowing us to enjoy the blessings of each day that we have together.