While I was attending an AIDET training session, it dawned on me that there was something very important that I have been meaning to do for 16+ years now and it was time to fulfill that To Do. That something is to send a huge thank you to Carole.
Although it's been many years, I have never forgotten how wonderful you were when I was in labor 16+ yrs ago.
As you know I birthed my son 6 yrs prior to having my daughter and my birth experience for my son was somewhat traumatic as I was in labor for 34 hours and tried pushing for 5 hours only resulting with an emergency C-section. My OB doc at that time said that I would never be able to birth a child naturally. Six years later, we were thrilled to find out that I was pregnant. During one of our prenatal visits, which included an ultrasound, we were told that we were going to have a baby girl and this OB/GYN doc was confident that I could have her naturally. I was a bit nervous with that announcement and my confidence for a natural birth was not very high because of my previous labor experience and outcome. However, if I had only known during those months of pregnancy that when the time came to have our daughter that I would have a guardian angel by my side who was also my labor nurse I would have spent many less worrisome and heartburn ridden nights.
The final day came and it was time to finally receive the gift that God had given us, but I was so unsure and nervous about delivering naturally. I was sure that there would be some kind of complication. I remember that I was completely dilated and was told that I would soon be able to push. I was nervous, but ready to go, and then in the next moment I overheard another nurse telling you that you could go home as your shift was over. I remember that within those few seconds of over overhearing this conversation, my heart skipped a few big beats and panic began to set in, until I heard you say, "Not a chance, if it's O.K. with you, I'd like to stay for this one". I felt so special and incredibly relieved that I wouldn't be losing my delivery lifeline coach and one of the kindest nurses I had ever encountered. Carole, I know you would say that you were just doing your job, but you don't know how much your soft encouraging voice and cheerleader attitude helped calm my fears and ensured me that I could really have a successful birth and I did. Naturally!
Here it is16 yrs later and I will never forget the care, compassion and dedication you gave to this very nervous Mom. On that day you were my Guardian Nurse Angel and your kindness will stay with me in my precious memories for many years to come. Not enough words can express my many thanks to you. I'm honored and proud to work for the same organization as you.
Thank you for all you do for all your patients and for what you did for me.