My mom was hospitalized for a stroke and stayed in ICU for the first 10 days in the hospital but was then moved to the 5th floor where I had the pleasure of meeting Nurse Monica Hayes. The day my mother had her feeding tube put in her stomach Monica called me to let me know when they were taking mom down for surgery and assured me she would call as soon as mom was done and although I told Monica that I knew she was busy and I would be sure to call and check on mom after the appropriate amount of time I received a call from Monica the moment she had mom back in her room and let me know that the procedure went very well.
I called multiple times a day to check on my mother and when Monica was her nurse I didn't have to ask a single question. She would immediately start telling me how mom had been doing since the last time we talked which made me feel like she was on top of things when it came to mom and her care. My mom suffers from depression and with the stroke she would cry at times and Monica would call me and put the phone up to mom's ear (mom is unable to speak and is paralyzed on her right side) so mom could hear my voice and Monica would talk to mom and try to soothe her as well. My mom had a stuffed elephant that she held onto day and night while she was in the hospital (it was her security, I think) but when mom was transported to the rehab facility, sadly the elephant did not make it with the rest of mom's belongings. Monica called me as soon as she realized mom's elephant was still at the hospital and not with mom and I was so thankful because I thought it may have gotten thrown away. I explained that I would get back to the hospital in a few days to pick it up (I live in Berea, KY, work full time and I am a single mom of a 12 yr old so I was not able to get there that day to pick up the elephant and take it to mom) and I thanked her again for all she had done for mom while she was with her. Well, to my surprise the very next day Monica called and said that she was on her way to Fountain Circle Rehab Facility with mom's elephant because she couldn't stand the thought of mom not having it. Monica delivered the elephant and even sent me a picture (all on her personal time and cell phone) of mom holding her elephant. I could tell by the look on mom's face that she was so grateful!
Monica really left a lasting impression on me! Everyone took such good care of my mom while she was at St Joseph Hospital but Monica went above and beyond all my expectations!! Just the phone calls and knowing her patient like she did really impressed me but when she went out of her way to take mom her stuffed animal that warmed my heart and made me want to be more like her! I believe Monica is a genuinely caring person who is definitely doing something she loves and you can tell just by speaking to her that this is what she was meant to do. Thank you Monica from the bottom of my heart for being there for my mom and my family and for being such an amazing person!