May 2024
Priscilla
Keziah
,
BSN, RN
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
Henry Ford Hospital
Detroit
,
MI
United States
She cared for my father in the way only a daughter would care for her father.
My 58-year-old father recently had a heart attack. Two days later while in the hospital, he learned he has chronic lymphocytic leukemia. To say our world was turned upside down was an understatement. The day of the surgery was intense. Lots of fear around his recovery. The day of his surgery, my dad was moved to a room in which Nurse Priscilla Keziah (“Kezie”) took care of us. The day of the surgery, Nurse Kezie never left my father’s side. As the hours and days passed, Nurse Kezie felt like a sister. How? She cared for my father in the way only a daughter would care for her father. She encouraged him at every moment. She reminded him how well he was doing. When he did a task, she said “I’m proud of you!”. At the same time, she was demanding because she understood my dad could do more. The day after surgery, Nurse Kezie wanted my father to sit up in the chair. She said, "we can do it." My dad was afraid, he said it would hurt too much, but after a good talk with Nurse Kezie, he felt ready. He said “I trust her.” Nurse Kezie continuously educated us about what she was doing and why. Nurse Kezie never sat down. She cared so well for my father. I’ll never forget her encouragement towards him. He will never forget her.