It's been a long three months as a patient at LGH. I've had three surgeries and many procedures. I was only supposed to be here overnight so when my stay ended up much longer it was very difficult for me. I could have never gotten through this time without Jennifer. She was my advocate from the beginning. She discovered a problem that others missed and she got a doctor in my room immediately to take care of the problem. When the days turned into weeks and no progress was being made she stepped up and requested a consult for me with a new doctor. They came up with a plan for a surgery that would actually fix my problems and allow me to go back to my own life at home. When the surgery wasn't an immediate success she spent hours of her own time trying to find solutions for me and she found the only thing that has helped me the whole three months.
Being stuck in the same room did a toll on my mental health and some days I had a lot of anxiety and depression but I was afraid to admit that. She spent many days assuring me my feelings were normal and that I wasn't crazy. Some days I just didn't want to get out of bed and try anything new. She would come in the room and would not take no for an answer. She forced me to keep fighting and trying to get better. She advocated for me like no one else ever has in my life.
Because of Jennifer I am going home this week. She wasn't satisfied with the days of no progress and worked hard to find ways to help me get better. I will walk out of this hospital a new woman from this experience and I have Jennifer to thank for changing my life. I truly feel that I will be successful at managing my health at home because Jennifer gave me the tools to do that myself. She never just took care of me by doing it all herself. Each step she showed me how I can replicate the things she did. She has given me the tools and the confidence to go home and get healthy once again. She deserves the DAISY Award!