Susan was appointed my nurse on 12/29, the same day that I was extubated and was still experiencing difficulty breathing. I was given dual nebulizer solution to open my airways. For some reason I had an adverse reaction and had very severe heart palpitations which scared me and made me feel like I was going into cardiac arrest. Apparently my blood pressure was so high that Sue called in a STAT order to the pharmacy for a medication to lower it. The entire time waiting she stroked my arm, she was very reassuring, doing breathing exercises with me and telling me we will get through this. She had to call the pharmacy several times to get the medicine. The whole time this was happening a man was brought into ICU with he intent to intubate and he died during the process. Sue handled all the necessary steps required when someone dies and all the while she managed to nurse me with such compassion as if I were her only priority.

In my opinion Sue saved my life that night. If it wasn't for her persistence with the pharmacy to get me the medicine quickly and her reassuring spirit I know I would have surrendered that night, especially with Death literally "in the air" I was sure I was going to have another heart attack. Well, I didn't and a lot of that credit goes to Sue Del Vecchio. I have been admitted to Orange Regional several times; 2x total for intubation and Sue is by far, BAR NONE, the most compassionate, professional that has ever cared for me.

I consider myself blessed to have had her as my nurse.