My husband was a patient at Penn Highlands DuBois for over 2 weeks. After arriving by helicopter from Penn Highlands Elk that Thursday morning, he was intubated and spent the next 10 ten days in the Cardiac ICU before he was moved to the 3rd floor for an additional 4 days before being discharged to our home where he received home health care. Without question, the nursing care he received was exemplary. There is one nurse, who made this difficult time less terrible. When I arrived on the Fifth Floor Cardiac ICU on Thursday morning, I was greeted by Stephanie Pasquarette, RN. She spent time with me right away, explaining what all the monitors were for, what the meds that were entering my husband’s body from four different sites were doing, what to expect during the next few days, and I what I could do to “help” his recovery.

Seeing him on a ventilator, sedated, unresponsive, swollen, and pale was the hardest moment of our 47-year marriage. Stephanie checked with me often as she passed by while treating her other patients, asking if I had any more questions, and most importantly to me, reassuring me that my husband was responding to the many medical interventions. Stephanie noticed things that I did not, even though I sat next to my husband for hours. His limbs were swollen. Stephanie removed the pillows from under his elbows and placed them beneath his hands, elevating them. Magically (it seemed) the swollen fingers became less so. She noticed that the dressing at one IV site was damp and was quick to remove and replace it. Even though he was sedated, she spoke directly to him, calling him by name when she touched him for any reason. She explained what she was doing and why. I particularly recall her cleaning his mouth with a sponge on a stick, telling him that the mint would taste good when they lessened the sedation and he became aware of it.

In many small ways, Stephanie made my husband’s time as a patient more pleasant, even though he was largely unaware of it. Another of Stephanie’s kindnesses still brings tears to my eyes weeks later. I had left DuBois at dark to return home after that first long day of intensive care. While driving my cell phone rang. Stephanie immediately identified herself and assured me that all was well. I pulled off the road to hear why she had called. “We had to cut off his wedding ring. I noticed that the ring finger was slightly cooler than the other fingers. I wanted to let you know because a wedding ring is such a personal and sentimental thing.” How kind it was of her to tell me immediately! I had seen how tight the ring was and was glad to hear that it could be cut off. That Stephanie took the time to call me about it meant the world to me and still does.

All nurses involved in my husband’s care and recovery were wonderful! He remembers the Third Floor nurses more clearly than the ICU nurses because he was awake and aware when there. We both treasure the card they sent after discharge. His recovery continues. Last week, he was discharged from home physical therapy and home nursing. He is driving his truck again, sleeping upstairs, and has abandoned his walker and cane. He is disappointed that his strength has not fully returned, but knows that it will if he continues his exercises as prescribed. His grumpiness and sarcasm have returned, however, so I know he’s back. Thank You nurses of Penn Highlands! Your hard work and dedication are recognized and appreciated. Your care reaches beyond your patients to their family members and the communities in which they live. We are Grateful! And Stephanie-you are one in a million! We are forever blessed that our paths crossed at this critical juncture and wish you and all your future patients well. With you attending to their medical needs, they will have the very finest of care!