I was taking care of a young 17 y/o patient whose chest tube became occluded. I needed to milk the tube as the Trauma surgeon was busy in a Level 1 trauma case in the ED. 

The patient was upset and crying. Sheresa came in. She had bonded with the patient the prior day when she was admitted. Sheresa proceeded to hold the patient’s hand and talk with her and reinforce what was happening. 

When the patient’s father came in, Sheresa left to take care of her own patients. This young lady told her dad “my favorite nurse is here.”

At shift change, the doctor came to replace the chest tube. The mom went to the waiting room then the young patient started crying and saying she wanted her mom. Sheresa heard this and came in again to talk to her and hold her hand and help her calm down. Sheresa was acting like her mom during this time of distress. She stayed during the whole procedure and held her hand. (Her shift was over but she stayed anyway.)

After the procedure was done and the chest x ray was being completed, Sheresa went out and informed the mom about the successful new chest tubes and listened to the mom talk about the “trauma” of the situation. Sheresa was there to comfort not only the patient, but the entire family. 

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My brother was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. He developed a hole in his intestines several days after the doctor removed the masses then resected, landing him in the ICU. My sister and I flew in to help our brother, his wife and their son. 

During the long hours that we sat by my brother’s bedside, Sheresa was one of the bright smiles that brought a sense of peace and hope; she lightened our burdens with humor. She had such a friendly aura and a great bedside manner and explained things to us and my brother. She always made us feel comfortable. Thank you Sheresa!