Suzanne Szary
April 2017
Suzanne
Szary
,
RN
Ortho
Saint Peter's University Hospital
New Brunswick
,
NJ
United States

 

 

 

After my mother had a failed attempt to remove a pancreatic cancer tumor, and while still in the hospital, my father was admitted to the same hospital. Nurse Suzanne Szary was the only bright spot for my family during this time. Suzanne listened to us and saw our extreme concern with now having two parents in the hospital. She never made us feel like we were asking for the impossible. She had my mom moved and had my dad assigned to a room next to hers. She ended up looking after both of them when she could as my dad spent most of his time in my mom's room during this three-day stay because he was so upset about the never-ending bad news. Suzanne helped us make sure we were able to speak to the surgical resident when we had questions and helped us get the only one-on-one aid who could actually get my mother to eat something. Suzanne continually checked on my dad, my brother and I when she saw us distressed. She did what she could to explain to us what was happening at various times. She showed extreme care and compassion to my poor mom who was not herself the entire time she was under Suzanne's care.
After my mother passed, I fell apart. I was hyperventilating and losing the feeling in my hands and feet. I was completely overcome and felt like I couldn't see or hear anyone. I was given oxygen. The next thing I knew, I heard the familiar voice of Suzanne. She was hugging me and trying to get through to me to calm me down so I could breathe. I cannot recall all that she said, but she was so caring and sweet, just as she had been previously.
Suzanne went above and beyond the call of duty every single chance she could.