To the utter surprise of Mr. Marlon Rabanal of 12 North Wing whose actions gave the greatest impact for one patient to sit down and put into paper and pen a narration of her appreciation and gratitude for Mr. Rabanal. The patient said, "He was there the whole time. My skin had turned pallor already. I broke into a cold sweat but I just kept my eyes on him for reassurance. During that episode he never left my side." What more could have surprised him when as a recognition of his extraordinary care, the DAISY Award visited him straight on his unit for the awarding. Unexpected from a boring routine, Marlon was teary-eyed as he listened to a recording of his patient's commendation while receiving the award.
"I had an MRM and Marlon Rabanal was one of my room nurses during my confinement at SLMC-GC. Marlon stood out amongst the nurses because of his exceptional attentiveness and care. While I was still in the RR, my BP spiked and so I was given antihypertensive meds (Catapres, I think) to stabilize my BP. But when I was back in my room, I went into hypotension and neurogenic shock. I passed out for a few seconds and when I came to, Marlon made sure that I kept my eyes open because my eyes started to grow heavy all of a sudden. There was a danger of slipping into a coma/die. He was there the whole time. My skin had turned pallor already. I broke into a cold sweat but I just kept my eyes on him for reassurance (the other nurse who was on my other side looked worried). He wiped the sweat off my face, while he guided me in doing deep breathing exercises before the doctor came in. During that episode he never left my side and that was very reassuring.
Another experience also which I could not forget happened the day after my surgery. After all my visitors have left, I was just overcome by emotion. I was overwhelmed by the love and support I received from my family and friends. The surgery was a snap decision and I don't have time to process it. I got my mammogram result, visited the doctor the next day and scheduled me for admission 3 days later. I just started to tear up and asked Marlon a piece of tissue and I tried to hold back the tears. But it was like a dam that burst open while I lay curled up in my bed. I sobbed and Marlon stayed beside me and waited for me. When I stopped crying, he slowly made his way and sat on my bed and looked at me so kindly. He told me, "Be strong and I nodded in agreement and then he asked me if I wanted him to stay, if I wanted to talk. I politely declined, telling him that I wanted to be alone and simply requested if I could receive holy communion.
It is my hope and prayer that nurses would be like Marlon. That's why I nominate him for the DAISY Award. He deserves it. I just got confined last March 7-13 for a simple mastectomy and I'm so glad that the admitting section accommodated my request to get a room where Marlon was currently assigned. He was no longer a room nurse and got promoted as charge nurse. It was like a reunion. Seeing him again. He made sure that everything was in order before he went off duty. How can one forget someone who has shown exceptional care, compassion and empathy? I'll never forget Marlon Rabanal. He is one of your best nurses."