Pauline Ayompe
February 2021
Pauline
Ayompe
,
RN
Float Pool
Lehigh Valley Hospital
Allentown
,
PA
United States
Pauline leaned over, gently rubbed my back, and invited me to have hope with her.
I was admitted to LVHN with COVID-19. The initial experience was chaotic. I had no idea how I contracted the virus. There was fear of what I was about to encounter as well as the unknown as to what lay ahead. There were bouts of sadness that were at times dark.
On my second day, Pauline Ayompe was assigned to be my nurse. Our first meeting was during one of those moments when I was so overwhelmed with fear that my eyes were tearing. Pauline intuitively recognized my distress. Through Pauline’s sincere voice, plus her caring and comforting demeanor, I sensed she truly cared for my welfare and survival. Pauline leaned over, gently rubbed my back, and invited me to have hope with her. She assured me that the staff would do everything they could to help me and all I had to do was to have hope. Through this conversation, Pauline became aware that I was a man of faith. I sensed peace as we prayed together while she spoke an eloquent, personalized message. Pauline chose words that resonated with me, words that were appropriate to my condition. We met a few more times that day and her messages were always filled with hope, repeating key phrases and words that would ease the distress I was encountering.
I’d like to end by sharing a series of uncanny coincidences. I had not seen Pauline until the beginning of the last week of my hospital stay when she surprised me with a visit and presented me with a get-well balloon. Pauline was so exuberant and upbeat during our short visit that she reminded me of an excited cheerleader breaking into a frenzy after her team had scored their winning touchdown. She kept repeating: "I knew you would make it! I knew you would make it!" The first coincidence: considering all the Float Nurses in the pool available to complete my discharge paperwork, Pauline was the one scheduled to release me. The second coincidence: my wife had sent me a photo of our extended family. The photo was not large and nine people are included in this picture. On the day Pauline delivered the balloon, this photo was taped to the wall of my room. We briefly spoke of my family photo and the conversation moved onto another unrelated subject. Pauline's shift ended on my departure day a week later following this visit. My family photo had already been removed from the wall. Shortly after Pauline left to head home, transport picked me up to meet my wife in the lobby. Pauline was exiting the lobby of the hospital on her way out when she recognized my wife's face from the small photo I mentioned. She approached my wife, introduced herself, and excitedly shared that she took care of me and everything was OK! Pauline had given me hope, peace, and love when I initially arrived, and this encounter resonated with me throughout my stay at the LVHN. A profound encounter.
I nominate Pauline Ayompe, Float Pool Nurse COVID 4C, Medical 6 C to be the recipient of the DAISY Award. On that day, she was far more than a nurse. She became a counselor, an ear willing to hear about my fears and family, my pastor, and my initial incentive to strive for a recovery that I am enjoying. You are blessed to have Pauline on your staff as she portrays the epitome of what a LVHN nurse should strive to emulate.
On my second day, Pauline Ayompe was assigned to be my nurse. Our first meeting was during one of those moments when I was so overwhelmed with fear that my eyes were tearing. Pauline intuitively recognized my distress. Through Pauline’s sincere voice, plus her caring and comforting demeanor, I sensed she truly cared for my welfare and survival. Pauline leaned over, gently rubbed my back, and invited me to have hope with her. She assured me that the staff would do everything they could to help me and all I had to do was to have hope. Through this conversation, Pauline became aware that I was a man of faith. I sensed peace as we prayed together while she spoke an eloquent, personalized message. Pauline chose words that resonated with me, words that were appropriate to my condition. We met a few more times that day and her messages were always filled with hope, repeating key phrases and words that would ease the distress I was encountering.
I’d like to end by sharing a series of uncanny coincidences. I had not seen Pauline until the beginning of the last week of my hospital stay when she surprised me with a visit and presented me with a get-well balloon. Pauline was so exuberant and upbeat during our short visit that she reminded me of an excited cheerleader breaking into a frenzy after her team had scored their winning touchdown. She kept repeating: "I knew you would make it! I knew you would make it!" The first coincidence: considering all the Float Nurses in the pool available to complete my discharge paperwork, Pauline was the one scheduled to release me. The second coincidence: my wife had sent me a photo of our extended family. The photo was not large and nine people are included in this picture. On the day Pauline delivered the balloon, this photo was taped to the wall of my room. We briefly spoke of my family photo and the conversation moved onto another unrelated subject. Pauline's shift ended on my departure day a week later following this visit. My family photo had already been removed from the wall. Shortly after Pauline left to head home, transport picked me up to meet my wife in the lobby. Pauline was exiting the lobby of the hospital on her way out when she recognized my wife's face from the small photo I mentioned. She approached my wife, introduced herself, and excitedly shared that she took care of me and everything was OK! Pauline had given me hope, peace, and love when I initially arrived, and this encounter resonated with me throughout my stay at the LVHN. A profound encounter.
I nominate Pauline Ayompe, Float Pool Nurse COVID 4C, Medical 6 C to be the recipient of the DAISY Award. On that day, she was far more than a nurse. She became a counselor, an ear willing to hear about my fears and family, my pastor, and my initial incentive to strive for a recovery that I am enjoying. You are blessed to have Pauline on your staff as she portrays the epitome of what a LVHN nurse should strive to emulate.