My father was admitted to Aspirus Hospitalwith an active heart attack. A procedure was attempted in the early morning hours but to no avail. Open heart surgery was our only option and a balloon pump to help keep Dad's heart alive and healthy while we waited for that surgery. All of the staff in the CICU were awesome, but at 7 AM, one truly amazing RN,Mary, walked into my Dad's room. At first, Mary was all business at the shift change. Getting all the facts and the whole story on Dad. Then at 8 AM, she came in and updated Dad's whiteboard, asking him to make a goal for the day. He said, "Today is the Best Day Ever!" Mary looked at him in wonder! He said, "well you all will take such great care of me and save my life today, The Best Day Ever." From that point on, she and Dad talked like old-time friends. She explained everything to me and my mom when she arrived. Mary called the doctor immediately when Dad's heart rate was unable to stay controlled. She smiled non-stop and laughed with us. At the end of Mary's shift, she stayed longer than needed to reassure our family for the big surgery day ahead. And most importantly before she left she hugged my Dad and told him what an honor it was to take care of him. Then she hugged me and I so needed that hug after the day we had.
Unfortunately, Dad didn't do great after surgery or during surgery, so a couple days later we were still in the CICU when Mary was back on shift! She wasn't our nurse again but she made sure to stop by to check in on Dad and me and to sign his heart pillow. Dad is home now finally and doing well. Mary is an amazing nurse and a true angel of CICU.