My grandpa was admitted to the CVICU after a MitraClip procedure. He had to be re-intubated after the procedure and then developed sepsis and had to be started on continuous dialysis. With all my grandpa had going on, he was a busy patient.
Michael worked with my grandpa at least three 12-hour shifts and made it seem like a walk in the park. He was not only always on top of what was happening, but he was also multiple steps ahead. This was a very scary time for our family, and he took the extra time to sit with my grandma in the early hours and explain in detail what was going on and what to expect.
Being able to reassure family—and allow them to understand past the medical jargon—is the biggest blessing you can give to family members (besides taking excellent care of the patient). He always let us know he was there to answer questions, he even told my grandma if she woke up at 2 a.m. and wondered how my grandpa did, just to call and he would be there to give an update. Which he did, when my grandma and I would call in the middle of the night.
I have a medical background, and I wasn't always able to be there to help explain things. Michael would explain things to me over the phone so I could stay in the loop and answer any of my grandmother's questions. Michael took the extra time to do this, and I know it took time out of his shift, but he was more than happy to do it. Not only were Michael's personal skills excellent, but you knew his bedside nursing skills were excellent, too. I would call and ask about lab values, and he could answer me without hesitation. You could tell he was paying attention to every detail of my grandpa's care.
At the beginning of the shift, I would watch him go through all of the lines and re-zero everything, so he knew for certain he was getting accurate reads. When you have a critically sick family member and get so lucky to have a nurse like Michael, it is one of the biggest blessings. Just knowing he was in good hands made such a difference for myself, my grandma, and the rest of the family. My grandma was always much more at ease when Michael was working. In talking to him once, he even stated that he chose to take care of my grandpa because he had him before, and he wanted to continue to help with his case. Michael, you were such a blessing to our family, and I want you to know that you made SUCH a BIG difference in one of the most stressful times in our families' lives. Thank you so much for all you did!!! AND, while Michael was taking care of my grandpa, it was my grandma's birthday; he bought her a birthday card with a gift card for a coffee. Above and beyond!!!