My little boy and I have spent nearly half his life at PCH. We practically live here. He was admitted yesterday for the second time in five days for seizures. He is extremely medically fragile and very complex. Whenever we are admitted, I spend a lot of time explaining his diagnoses to nurses and why we do things the way we do. We have had hundreds of nurses over the years, but Cristina is one I will remember. She arrived with such a cheery disposition, she was like a ray of sunshine. She listened to everything I said, she gave me an educated nurse's analysis of questions I had, she ensured the medications were timely, and she obtained a volunteer for me, so I could go get something to eat in the cafeteria.
She not only went above and beyond, she made my son and I happy today. Do you know how difficult that is? I am alone taking care of my son. My husband is deployed, and my older son is in the Navy. I am the only one taking care of my son for an entire year.
Sadly, he had a new type of seizure and I have been totally overwhelmed with this new realization. I would never have guessed that my son's nurse (whom I had never met before today) would have the ability to make me smile. I felt better and better every time Cristina left the room because she had offered me such emotional support. I couldn't help but smile. A million thank yous to Cristina for being who she is!