We wish to convey our deepest and most sincere thanks to each member of the NICU. They supported us, sent hopes and prayers our way, sent cards and notes of inspiration, gifts, food and whatever else they could do for us during the most difficult time in our lives.
When the most precious person one has ever had the privilege and honor to call a wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend, and coworker is stricken with such a horrible disease as cancer, it feels like your world is spinning out of control because, in reality, it is. Our lives changed instantly upon her diagnosis. We felt helpless watching our beautiful angel struggle at times. What we could do for her, we certainly did without hesitation. We were there for her. Every possible second of every day we were there. We prayed more than we ever have.
Regarding the NICU staff, everything our family felt and did for her, they felt and did too. If there is any good that came of this, and we've struggled to find some until we had time to think, it is this; they were a gift from God. We saw it firsthand. It restored our faith. When we felt our lowest, they banded and formed to help lift us more than they can ever know. We are so fortunate and blessed to have them in our lives now.
Here is a short list of examples demonstrating the kindness, compassion, and support they extended to our family during our angel's two-year sickness: They kept a meal train going indefinitely - ensuring we were eating right. The food kept coming and coming. They covered shifts - many times working four or five days straight so she could take off for chemotherapy treatments and medical procedures. They took off voluntary during low census so she could work to get the hours needed to meet FMLA criteria.
This past Christmas, they voted to let her have the Holiday off so she could spend it at home with family (she didn't want to agree to this but they insisted). They would not float her out to adult units unless it was mother/baby because she was so susceptible to infection. They would keep her working in the front of the NICU where the little "growers" usually were - wherever they thought the workload would be the easiest is where they put her. There were many Sunshine Baskets full of treats, restaurant gift cards, massage certificates (she LOVED massages, and the girls knew it), manicure/pedicure certificates, inspirational gifts, etc. On the night she passed away, her coworkers came to her bedside to support her, comfort her, and tell her they loved her. Many stayed all night.
The NICU staff never complained once about the special treatment she was getting. That is a testament to the character and humanity of each person there. St. Vincent surely is honored and proud to have them as associates. Some people can go through their whole lives and never experience the love and compassion we felt from her coworkers. Our one true hope is that the NICU staff be honored with The DAISY Award for their countless and selfless acts of love they showed our angel and her family. We love and cherish each of them so much.
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As an associate of St. Vincent Evansville, our primary focus is to serve, provide care for, and help improve the lives of others. Our patients, their families, physicians, interdisciplinary team members, and our own co-workers. This is our belief and our way of life. It is our culture. You see it, live it, and act on it every day. But when you are an associate and a family member of another associate with life-changing circumstances, you become a witness to this altruistic display of behaviors first hand.
As I re-emphasize what you read in the letter written by the family, this was a time of need to serve their co-worker and these ladies gave of themselves as if it was their duty. And did so graciously, from the beginning to the end. Immediately, they started a meal train, preparing meals for Angie, and delivering them to her home. This was done during their time off. Giving up time spent with their own family and household needs to show support and ensure their co-worker and family had a nutritional meal. When Angie needed extra time off to recover from a chemo treatment, they gave up their low census time so Angie could have it. When Angie's FMLA got denied because she had not worked enough hours, they took time off so she could work and get the hours needed to get it re-instated, and the list goes on. I cannot say thank you enough to the NICU department for the care they extended to their co-worker and friend, my cousin, friend, and fellow associate, Angela Merrick. They truly describe our culture, our commitment, our beliefs, and our way of life as an associate of St. Vincent Evansville.