I went to a morning OB appointment to discuss symptoms related to pre-eclampsia. My blood pressure went up by 20 while at the appointment, so I was sent to Hospital Triage for same-day labs. After escalating blood pressures, I was admitted to Maternity Services. Stacey Campbell is the nurse who came to get me from Triage. I didn't realize how sick I was and Stacey was calm but swift. My situation went from bad to worse by late afternoon when my OB and a high-risk OB came to see me and inform me of the dire situation. I was diagnosed with HELLP Syndrome. Stacey was my nurse on days one, four, five, and eight of my stay.
I had a procedure on day two, where I lost our baby boy. Stacey knew how scared I was and despite not being scheduled, she still came in on her day off to be a calming presence on the worst day of my life. She stayed the entire day and was in the OR with me. During my stay, she cried when I cried, laughed when I laughed, and made me feel like the most important patient. When you are grieving and so, so sick, it certainly helps to have a nurse as caring and compassionate as Stacey.
Stacey suggested a room change on day four because I had vocalized that I was scared to leave the room because I felt like I was leaving my baby. She gave me this small gift as a stepping stone for when I would be discharged from the hospital. On day five, after her shift, she was out but still texting the night nurse to check on me. We think it was because I was in a new room and she wanted to make sure I was acclimating well.
Stacey also stayed after her shift on my last day to cry and talk some more with me. She was an absolute angel to me, my husband, and my mom. Words alone will never adequately express our gratitude for not only Stacey but all of the nurses who helped me on Maternity Services. They will forever hold a special place in my heart but Stacey will lead the pack.