In January 2023, my wife was admitted with a bowel obstruction. Samantha was assigned as her nurse for the day.  All day long my wife was vomiting every hour or two. Sam worked really hard to get the NG tube in to help relieve the pressure. Unfortunately, the first tube was too big. The second tube only fit in one side. Then, it kept curling right before the stomach. Sam was very comforting and talked my wife through everything. Eventually, my wife was sent to IR to see if they could have more success. Because of all the struggles, Sam accompanied my wife into the procedure providing comfort and assurances, but that too was unsuccessful. That evening the doctor came in with a smaller surgical NG tube and with Sam's help they got it in place and started suction. Shortly after the doctor left, my wife regurgitated the tube back into her throat and was choking on it. Sam had to immediately assess her and pull it out. Earlier in the day, the doctor had informed my wife her ovarian cancer was back. 

Sam's first day heroics caring for my wife were then overshadowed by what she did for her over the next couple of days. My wife was extremely distraught about the pending surgical implications with the bowel obstruction and mentally paralyzed with fear. She didn't know if she could go through another full open surgery and was very worried about how this would impact our then, 16 year old daughter. My wife saw the cancer recurrence as an immediate death sentence. Each day, Sam would talk with her and share her own personal experiences with her Mom's cancer to help my wife work through the decisions that had to be made. Sam showed extreme compassion and care, making sure that my wife's emotional needs were met in addition to all her physical needs. My wife had gone into a deep, dark place mentally. But Sam worked tirelessly to provide exceptional service while sharing extremely personal details that enabled my wife to make it to the next series of chemotherapy. Often, Sam would swing back through after her shift was over to offer parting encouragement. Words cannot adequately describe the positive impact of Sam's attentiveness and willingness to share her experience with my wife. If not for Sam's actions, our family would not have had this year with my wife. I will forever be indebted for Sam, having restored my wife's physical and mental health. 

One other note to include. My wife has had many subsequent returns to the hospital with extended stays this year. Each time Sam found out she was back in her tower, she would come from whatever floor she was on to check in on my wife and make sure she was being properly taken care of. That's a level of dedication to patient care rarely seen.

Note: This is Sam's 2nd DAISY Award!