I went to an ER with persistent abdominal pain and fevers. I was told to have a colonoscopy to rule out a new neoplasm. The news was extremely scary. A week later the result was diverticulitis. I was very relieved and ready to go forward with whatever I needed to do. However, after failing oral antibiotics, I was informed I needed IV antibiotics for two weeks. I was to come into the hospital daily for the infusion. Sheri was my nurse. I am generally very healthy but when I met Sheri, I was starting to get worn down a bit. I was hoping the oral medications would have worked but they weren't. There are many reasons why I want to recognize Sheri.
Communication.... I was beginning to feel a loss of control over what was going on especially when with my initial visit. I arrived as directed but it was after outpatient hours. The house supervisor worked it out so I got my antibiotic in a different department. There was still confusion on my next visit between what the doctor ordered and what I was supposed to do. After everything, the last thing, I wanted was confusion about what the plan was. Sheri went over the plan with me then called the doctor for clarification on the rest. The next time I came in all problems were clarified and solved. Her solid communication skills and attention to detail made me feel well taken care of and that is what I needed at the time. I was reassured there would be no glitches when I presented to the ER over the weekend, and there weren't. Also, she walked me through a pro and con discussion on whether to continue with IV changes every three days or get a PICC line.
Empathy .... After two weeks of IV medication, elevated labs, and low-grade fevers it was decided I needed surgery. The IV antibiotics were extended another two weeks until surgery. I was feeling pretty low. Sheri listened to me while I "whined" which I don't normally do, but I felt she understood and so I felt better by the time I left. I was able to pull up my big girl pants and move on.
Flexibility .... After coming upstairs and waiting in the waiting room for her to come and get me (which was just minutes), Sheri told me to just come back on my own and she would direct me to which room I should go in. Every day, I felt she was respectful of my time and wanted to make things go as smoothly as they could so I could get home.
Compassionate .... Sheri is very compassionate. On each visit, she asked me if I needed anything before, she left the room. Warm blankets, TV, a drink. Watching her work, she is consistent in paying attention to my comfort. She was gentle with any cares she did with any IV starts and subsequently my PICC line. In the past, I have had experiences where I held my breath wondering how bad something was going to hurt in the next minute. Not with Sheri, I was always at ease.
Time Management .... Sheri was always ready for me when I got there. I never waited for my treatment. She would say things like, "It's almost done" or "I'll be right back. I'm going to get your heparin and then you can be out of here." As soon as the pump beeped done, she was waiting. If she was busy with another patient, I could hear her say, "I'll be right there."
Today was my last day in the outpatient department. I've been there daily for four weeks. I felt, safe, educated, listened to, taken care of and cared about. Thank you, Sheri.