One morning we came into work and received a call from EMS saying they were on their way with a young patient who had a seizure. The patient had no history of seizures and vitals were stable. We knew to prepare, so as a team we quickly set up the trauma room and prepared for the worst-case scenario. Upon their arrival the patient was pale, agonal breathing and sats were in the 70s. The young patient was intubated just minutes after his arrival. The patient was stabilized and transferred to a large pediatric facility for further evaluation and monitoring after stabilization.

It was later determined that this patient had multiple malignant brain tumors that, unfortunately, are inoperable. Renee has followed up with that family since leaving our facility. She checks on this child and family regularly and has been a huge amount of support for the parents. She recently organized a fundraiser within our department and took the young patient several goodies to keep occupied as chemo and radiation begins, requiring prolonged hospitalization.

Renee has shown more than compassion, she has shown sincere love for a family who were strangers until they met on what was, without a doubt, one of the hardest days of their lives. There will be many hard days ahead for them, and I know that they have found support, and some comfort from Renee’s willingness to give and serve. I, for one, have learned so much from working with Renee and can only pray that I will become as good of a nurse, and woman, as she is in the future.