Melissa Cerretti
August 2019
Melissa
Cerretti
,
RN
Post Surgical
Stormont-Vail HealthCare
Topeka
,
KS
United States
I was admitted to Stormont for 5 months. I had a small bowel obstruction and was told I needed surgery. After my first surgery, I was sent to 7-South Post Surgery. That's where I met Melissa Cerretti. She was very comforting. I felt an instant bond with her. Shortly after I arrived on the floor I was told I needed a second surgery and that my entire stomach needed to be removed. I was upset, scared, and nervous. I just shut down. But Melissa wasn't having it. She kept on me, getting me to open up. She sat on the bed next to me, held my hand, hugged me, and I just cried like a baby. She brushed my hair and she would reassure me that everything was going to be okay.
During my second surgery, I lost a lot of blood. The surgery wasn't going well. The surgeon told my mother they almost lost me twice. I was in ICU on a vent for several days, and when I was able and strong enough, I was moved back up to 7-South Post Surgery, and Melissa was there to greet me. Soon after getting settled back up on the floor, I was told I had to have a third surgery. By this time, I so wanted to give up. I was transferred to Kansas City and had my stent placed and came back to Stormont Vail. By this time the holidays were approaching fast, and I had already missed all of my daughters' birthdays and now Christmas was around the corner. That was very hard to deal with. I had never missed a Christmas with my family. Melissa came in one morning and said, "Get up. We're going shopping." Here she comes with a wheelchair and loads me onto it and takes me on a tour of the gift shop. I was ecstatic. This brought my spirits way up. I still think about that day.
She made a tremendous impact on my life. My third and final surgery was a success and I recovered on the Post Surgery floor, and Melissa was there to help me. I just wanted to share my story and let everyone know what a wonderful, compassionate person Melissa Cerretti is. I strongly believe she made a huge difference in my recovery and life, and I will be forever grateful for her. I truly have an angel here on earth.
During my second surgery, I lost a lot of blood. The surgery wasn't going well. The surgeon told my mother they almost lost me twice. I was in ICU on a vent for several days, and when I was able and strong enough, I was moved back up to 7-South Post Surgery, and Melissa was there to greet me. Soon after getting settled back up on the floor, I was told I had to have a third surgery. By this time, I so wanted to give up. I was transferred to Kansas City and had my stent placed and came back to Stormont Vail. By this time the holidays were approaching fast, and I had already missed all of my daughters' birthdays and now Christmas was around the corner. That was very hard to deal with. I had never missed a Christmas with my family. Melissa came in one morning and said, "Get up. We're going shopping." Here she comes with a wheelchair and loads me onto it and takes me on a tour of the gift shop. I was ecstatic. This brought my spirits way up. I still think about that day.
She made a tremendous impact on my life. My third and final surgery was a success and I recovered on the Post Surgery floor, and Melissa was there to help me. I just wanted to share my story and let everyone know what a wonderful, compassionate person Melissa Cerretti is. I strongly believe she made a huge difference in my recovery and life, and I will be forever grateful for her. I truly have an angel here on earth.