February 2015
William
Hargens
,
RN
4C Ortho
Sanford Medical Center Fargo
Fargo
,
ND
United States

 

 

 

... I was admitted to the hospital on the evening of Dec 9. I was admitted with a life threatening infection in my right shoulder. Surgery was scheduled for Wednesday morning the 10th of December. That surgery on Wednesday was going to be my 34th surgery. I have managed to remain very independent through all of these surgeries. That Tuesday night my pain was something I had NEVER experienced in my entire life. No matter what was done they couldn't lessen my pain even in the slightest degree. I am a survivor and very proud of it. That evening I gave up!! I could NOT tolerate the excruciating pain I was in. I called my only child at 2:00 am and told her I needed her to be able to get through this one. She responded by saying "Mother, I can't come at this hour of the night and I have to work in the morning." I immediately assumed that meant she wasn't coming at all. I was totally devastated.

Will came in and took my hand and said "Lori, I will take care of you. Will stayed with me the entire evening holding my hand and without him, I really believe I would have not made it through the night. The next morning I had my surgery and was in terrible pain. I was lying in bed tears pouring down my cheek with my eyes closed. When I opened them there stood my daughter. I started to respond immediately after her arrival and began the start of my recovery. If it had not been for Will going above and beyond anything I have ever experienced in my life. He is an exceptional human being and the most wonderful nurse I have ever met in my life. His compassion and empathy were overwhelming.

I found out right after surgery that I had come so very close to losing my right arm. I would love to see Will get the acknowledgement he so clearly deserves and thank him from the bottom of my heart for saving me that horrific night. Will has been my nurse previously for different operations and when he sees my name on the admission list, he immediately responded by greeting me in my room with a wonderful smile and his appearance made a HUGE impression on me immediately. Please give him the special recognition he deserves. Praise the Lord!