My husband came to the ED with chest pain and tingling in his arm. However, he was only 29-years-old. We never imagined that he was actually having a mild heart attack. After hours in the ED, the Doctor wanted to watch him overnight, so we were sent to CICU. I being his wife, was a mess. I couldn't help but cry even though at the time we didn't know he was having a heart attack. But I was so upset! Everything was running through my head…
Could he keep working? Would I still be able to pay the bills? Is he going to need me to take care of him for a long time? Just everything! When "Penny" came into the room with us she immediately comforted me. She had a smile and she assured me we were in good hands. She said they had the best doctors and staff, and we shouldn't worry. She then went straight out and got us some warm blankets and some pillows then helped calm me down. She talked to me and throughout the night checked on us.
When she came back in on Saturday evening to work she hadn't even put her stuff down and was still holding her jacket and purse in her hand when she came straight in and checked on him. She said that she had prayed for him and thought about him all day. I honestly don't think I could have made it through this terrible tragedy had I not had such a compassionate, kind, intelligent nurse helping me through it.
Saturday morning we found out that my husband had a blood clot in the artery of his heart and then had to have it removed. He had a small heart attack. So, it was crucial to me that I had someone walking me through it for us. Penny was that person. I don't have the words that can describe how much she meant to me during this time. She always answered my questions and was on top of all of our needs. 100% the best nurse at Holston Valley!