Dan Hammer
January 2020
Daniel
Hammer
,
RN
ICCU
Baptist Health Care - Gulf Breeze Hospital
Pensacola
,
FL
United States
"Less than a month ago I was walking and swimming the beautiful beaches of Florida. Suddenly I found myself unable to do the simplest task, even walking from my bed to the bathroom. Eventually, I was unable to breathe, and I was transported to GBH ICU. I was scared, confused, and upset about the sudden turn my life had taken. I was told by the doctor I was terminal and had less than 20% of my lung function left. My family and my world were shattered. I had just moved here to my retirement paradise with my entire family and now I felt hopeless and utter despair.
I never had smoked cigarettes, and this most likely happened from my time in Vietnam due to agent orange. I was devastated. Then I met my favorite nurse, Dan! Dan introduced himself and immediately helped me feel alive again. He explained I still had control of my life to complete what is most important. He explained all of my treatments, medications and what I could expect from one day to the next. Not only did he do this for me, but he also took the time to explain all of this multiple times to my loved ones.
Dan taught me to "dance" again to get me out of bed to eat and for my bathroom trips. If I got anxious or starved for air, he held my hand and talked to me letting me know I was in control until I could breathe again. Multiple times on my hardest days, Dan stayed well past his shift to ensure I felt tranquility before I fell asleep.
Another night, he stayed late to shave my beard and clean me up prior to seeing my granddaughters from Hawaii one last time. Dan turned my fear to comfort. My anxiety to relief. My worry to understanding and my anger to acceptance. Dan prepared my family and me for my final journey and I will be extremely grateful. Through all of my amazing nurses at GBH, Dan was truly the most exceptional my family and I were blessed to have such a wonderful angel to protect and care for me in my final days!"
There was a note on the form stating that the patient passed away the day after filling out the nomination. Daniel truly made a lasting impact on both his patient and their family.
I never had smoked cigarettes, and this most likely happened from my time in Vietnam due to agent orange. I was devastated. Then I met my favorite nurse, Dan! Dan introduced himself and immediately helped me feel alive again. He explained I still had control of my life to complete what is most important. He explained all of my treatments, medications and what I could expect from one day to the next. Not only did he do this for me, but he also took the time to explain all of this multiple times to my loved ones.
Dan taught me to "dance" again to get me out of bed to eat and for my bathroom trips. If I got anxious or starved for air, he held my hand and talked to me letting me know I was in control until I could breathe again. Multiple times on my hardest days, Dan stayed well past his shift to ensure I felt tranquility before I fell asleep.
Another night, he stayed late to shave my beard and clean me up prior to seeing my granddaughters from Hawaii one last time. Dan turned my fear to comfort. My anxiety to relief. My worry to understanding and my anger to acceptance. Dan prepared my family and me for my final journey and I will be extremely grateful. Through all of my amazing nurses at GBH, Dan was truly the most exceptional my family and I were blessed to have such a wonderful angel to protect and care for me in my final days!"
There was a note on the form stating that the patient passed away the day after filling out the nomination. Daniel truly made a lasting impact on both his patient and their family.