Our daughter, E, recently was sick and had to come to the ED at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center. E has Turner Syndrome, but has been lucky and has not needed to come to the hospital prior to this trip. Aside from her first two years of life where she practically lived at OSF Saint Francis due to a congenital heart defect repair, multiple abdominal surgeries, respiratory failure that led to a tracheostomy placement and the reversal, E has been a very healthy girl since. Being so young during those hospital stays, E does not remember, therefore this trip to the ED was her first true experience. She was very nervous and despite us, Mom and Dad, reassuring her, she remained scared. You can imagine how grateful I was when Casey walked into the room with a kind smile and a reassuring tone in her voice. From the second Casey was in the room, each and every time, she explained everything to E, at her level, sometimes repeating several times. She did everything she could to help calm her anxiety. She talked to E about what she is interested in and her likes. Casey quickly learned how much E loves Disney's Frozen, especially Elsa. She also learned all about her doll, Lea, that was with E and goes everywhere with her. When the time came that E needed an IV placed, Casey was quick thinking and incorporated Elsa by having the cold numbing spray be named "Elsa Magic Spray". Casey sprayed a little of the "Elsa Magic Spray" on her hand first to ease E's fear of pain. Casey had so much patience, even though I know she was very busy, you would have never been able to tell. She sat down by E and showed her what an IV looked like. She showed her the needle removal and the "flimsy little straw" that would be left in E's arm. With the "Elsa Magic Spray," the IV placement went as smooth as it could have gone (our daughter is valvey). Once the IV was in and wrapped, Casey turned to E's doll and placed a wrap on the doll's arm to match E. For Casey to take her precious time to acknowledge this important piece of E's life showed us that some actions speak far more than words. That act took some fear away from our daughter and despite E being so sick, she smiled.
With the okay from the doctor, Casey promptly got E a cup of water and brought a large cup of water for me. Casey was not only caring for our daughter, but she took the time to show compassion towards her patient's worried parents. I could literally go on and on about so many things Casey did for us during the 5 hour time we were in the ED. Even when transporting E to her inpatient PIC bed, she explained everything along the way, providing much reassurance and compassion. Casey is a phenomenal nurse! Casey is not only carrying out her career but her true calling. I am so very blessed that Casey was my daughter's ED nurse, the first nurse she came into contact with for the first hospital visit she will remember. Casey was the first nurse but left an impression that will last of a lifetime. Thank you, Casey, from the bottom of our hearts! After a 4-day hospital stay, E was discharged happy and healthy.