Yelena Grace
February 2016
Yelena
Grace
,
BSN, RN
MICU
UPMC Hamot
Erie
,
PA
United States
My mother suffered from a major stroke. She was transported to UPMC Hamot MICU where she received excellent care from all the nurses and staff. Yelena Grace, in particular was exceptional. Yelena showed tremendous care and concern for my mother throughout her stay in MICU. She demonstrated the upmost compassion, respect, and professionalism when dealing with my mother.
My mother started in the MICU with right side paralysis, minimal left side movement and function, a lung infection, and intubation tube. Things were very critical. Yelena took the time to speak with my mother even though she could not communicate. With some patience and repetition, my mother was able to shake her head yes and no for the first time in 4 days. Yelena was excited for her progress and provided positive encouragement. Yelena took the time to challenge my mother to try new things and test her limits. The improvements we saw from this effort in less than 24 hours were unbelievable. These same improvements helped to minimize the need for further invasive procedures.
She was also very sympathetic of the journey she is about to embark on as far as rehabilitation. She explained to my mother that things were going to be frustrating and difficult at times, but she needed to have patience with herself and take it one step at a time, one day at a time. She held her hand when speaking to her which shows us as a family, an extreme level of compassion. She spoke with her in a very comforting, reassuring tone. She told her that her family loved her and was going to help her through this.
It is very scary for someone waking up from an incident such as this in a place that is unfamiliar to them with tubes and wires all over the place. Everything that Yelena did, she walked my mother through it with an explanation. This also gave us the opportunity to see and hear what she was doing, as well as ask questions if we need to. She routinely came in to check on us as well to see if we needed water or coffee and make us feel as comfortable as possible considering the situation.
My mother started in the MICU with right side paralysis, minimal left side movement and function, a lung infection, and intubation tube. Things were very critical. Yelena took the time to speak with my mother even though she could not communicate. With some patience and repetition, my mother was able to shake her head yes and no for the first time in 4 days. Yelena was excited for her progress and provided positive encouragement. Yelena took the time to challenge my mother to try new things and test her limits. The improvements we saw from this effort in less than 24 hours were unbelievable. These same improvements helped to minimize the need for further invasive procedures.
She was also very sympathetic of the journey she is about to embark on as far as rehabilitation. She explained to my mother that things were going to be frustrating and difficult at times, but she needed to have patience with herself and take it one step at a time, one day at a time. She held her hand when speaking to her which shows us as a family, an extreme level of compassion. She spoke with her in a very comforting, reassuring tone. She told her that her family loved her and was going to help her through this.
It is very scary for someone waking up from an incident such as this in a place that is unfamiliar to them with tubes and wires all over the place. Everything that Yelena did, she walked my mother through it with an explanation. This also gave us the opportunity to see and hear what she was doing, as well as ask questions if we need to. She routinely came in to check on us as well to see if we needed water or coffee and make us feel as comfortable as possible considering the situation.