Sydney is an amazing nurse and an even better person. Our six-year-old daughter K is battling and winning her fight against AML. We are in the middle of round four of five rounds. K's first experience with Sydney was after K's hair had begun to fall out and K initially got a short haircut, but on Sydney's first shift with K, the two of them agreed to shave K's head. That was the beginning of their bond.
Amongst all the "routine" medical stuff Sydney had to do, she always made time to make K comfortable, which usually meant playing a game of some sort, later this turned into conversations about their weekends or what they had done in recent days. It was Easter time and they had a fun time taking turns hiding a single Easter egg. This went on for days, weeks, and even months where the two would laugh and giggle while doing it.
K would ride a tricycle and pull Sydney while she sat in a rolling chair up and down the hall. Being able to take a couple of minutes to play with K was so special. K had been riding a tricycle in the hall one day and Sydney was off a few days and had returned; the moment K saw Sydney we hear a yell of pure joy "It's Sydney!" As a parent, those are the people we know love their job as they have created such a positive impact on a child.
Certainly, Sydney always kept myself and my wife informed of what was going on in K's body and prepared us for things to expect during the entire journey. The excitement and energy that Sydney brought out of K in the battle for her life are remarkable. As a family, working with Sydney has been a shining light in K's battle. K had even said the hospital is fun and we could only attribute that to the care, attention, hard work and friendship that Sydney brought into K's life. Once K is permanently discharged, we truly will miss Sydney.