My situation was complicated and was full of uncertainty, emergency visits to my physician, weekly visits to other doctors and countless sleepless nights. My situation quickly worsened and became critical.
I was first admitted to this unit and my blood pressure was 194/101 and the home hypertension program had me go in. I was so scared. So much happened, so quickly. IVs, medications, vomiting, crying, doctors, nurses, and just a whirlwind of blurred memories. I was scared and I was heartbroken to be away from my 5-year-old who was really missing me. I was anxious, I was holding on by a thread. Then in walked Mashallah, not only into my room but to our lives. I was admitted on a Monday night and met her on a Tuesday morning. Mashallah's presence was so calm, kind, sincere, loving, and genuine. She talked to me, listened and cared. She did everything that she was supposed to as a nurse and she went above and beyond. She was with me when I needed the most. Her eyes spoke to my soul and filled me with hope. Without even knowing, that helped calm me. My blood pressure was the best when she was around. I was discharged on Friday and I was so sad I didn't get to say goodbye.
Little did I know I'd be back in this Unit in 8 short days. I enjoyed being at home. But I never forgot about Mashallah.
I was re-admitted to this unit. There were critical issues in my situation. This time I knew there was no going home. This time I was on an hour by hour watch. Priority patient on the floor. My doctors, nurses, other doctors in and out of my room what seemed like all day. I was so scared. In fact, I was completely mortified. I knew what was coming and I knew it would be hard. Thursday of that week my situation worsened. Once again, they pumped me full of medications and I felt absolutely horrible. I didn't sleep much that night. I cried most of the night out of pure fear. I sent my spouse home to be with our son and give him a sense of normalcy and some rest. I was lonely. I finally shut my eyes around 3 am. I woke up and slowly opened my eyes around 7 am. There standing in my room was Mashallah, I had been praying for her to be my nurse again at some point. She was looking at my vitals when saw I woke up, she greeted me with a big smile and asked if I remembered her. She had no idea that not only did I remember her, but that she had firmly implanted herself in my heart. Everything happened so fast. She told me to call my spouse and tell him to get to the hospital as soon as he could. I was so afraid I'd be rushed for my procedure and he wouldn't make it. She promised me she wouldn't let that happen and promised not to leave my side. I asked her if she'd be in my procedure and she told me yes. She was the calming force that gave me the strength I didn't have. Once again, she was kind, loving, patient, sincere, and just what I needed.
She was with us in the procedure room and was so precise. Every time I heard the voice, I felt at peace. I felt like she was my angle that brought a sense of calm I couldn't explain.
After my procedure, a lot was a blur from moving my body. I was in the hospital until Sunday night. Sunday was horrible. I was so sad. I didn't connect with a single nurse in the other unit and I felt so alone. I was using the restroom to change. When I opened the door to return to my bed, there she was again. She came to check on me and wish me the best. She had no idea how much I needed that visit. I thanked her and couldn't contain my tears. She shared kind words with me, hugged me, and just filled my spirit with hope.
She goes above and beyond, an Extraordinary Nurse who goes above and beyond the call of duty. She works from the heart that makes her stand out as a nurse. I will never forget her and I am so thankful for her. She's our angel.