Sonia Velez demonstrated leadership beyond measure and made a significant difference in my patient care. I arrived at St. Joseph's Hospital for assistance in emergency care. I had recognized early that morning I was experiencing symptoms of auto-immune disease Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) such as fatigue and purplish bruising on the skin. This was not my first encounter with TTP so I knew a flare-up was occurring. I was initially diagnosed with TTP in October 2012 and recently had a relapse in June 2017. So, here I was again facing TTP at Carondelet St. Joseph's Emergency Care Unit.
After being assessed in Emergency Care, I was admitted for treatment under the care of the hospital hematologist/oncologist and then taken to ICU for emergency treatment.
Sonia immediately took charge of my care plan and collaborated with me on my goals and needs as a long-term inpatient. She was very knowledgeable about TTP. Not to mention, she made me laugh and smile every day she was on the floor. In addition, she held my hand and comforted me when I wasn't physically well. Nurse Sonia is an extraordinary human and nurse.