I had open heart surgery at Central DuPage Hospital. Initially, I was in CCICU but then was transferred to 3A. Julie was my nurse for several shifts before I was discharged. Unfortunately, I developed a seroma from my surgery that required visits back to the hospital and I was eventually re-admitted to the hospital. After I was admitted and finally assigned to a room, it was my understanding that my surgeon was conferring with the wound specialist doctor to get her opinion as to whether a wound revision was the best course of action. My daughter and I were in my room expecting that someone would come to see us and let us know what the decision was. We waited over 4 hours and didn't hear a word from anyone. However, when Julie came on her shift she listened to us and understood that no one had gotten back to us to inform us what was going to be done. She contacted the appropriate parties and coordinated all the information so that we finally were told that a wound revision was going to be done the next day. She was very reassuring and helped alleviate the stress my daughter and I were both experiencing. She definitely went above and beyond in addressing our concerns. She was aware that I and my family had concerns about conflicting information we had received. On every shift that Julie cared for me I found her to be very compassionate and caring, and most importantly, she listened.
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I was discharged but was re-admitted for other health issues. I then went to 4C unit. Julie learned that I was back in the hospital and she came to see me. Once again, she listened to me and helped me understand what all was going on with me and was very comforting at a time when I needed it. She is the kind of nurse all should aspire to.