I brought my partner, D, to the Banner Estrella Medical Center Emergency Room as he was very ill and suffering from a bronchial infection. After the blood was drawn results came back, we discovered D had a very low to critical amount of sodium in his system. From the ER he was admitted to the unit 3D-PCU floor and started on medication to slowly bring his sodium levels back to normal. The next day Margaret came on shift as his primary nurse and immediately started caring for D as she would a close family member. Things were going well at the start of the morning, but by mid-day D started to take a turn for the worse. His confusion from low sodium had gotten very difficult for many to deal with, but Margaret had a very calm and easy manner and could most times get D to settle down and explain to him just where he was. As the evening went on D started to get more agitated and challenging and this forced Margaret to contact security to assist with D. She always showed a calm and professional manner in everything she was doing even in this difficult situation. As the events went on and Margaret and security were getting D back in his bed I was starting to have a breakdown watching my partner go through this and him not even knowing why. Margaret was there for me as well as D and she was the support that helped get me through this. The following morning as I came to the hospital to see how D was, she was there to greet me and tell me how his night went and that he was finally sleeping and getting the rest he desperately needed. Though I only stayed for a few minutes as I did not want to disturb D, Margaret assured me she would contact me if anything major changed. Later in the day after getting some needed rest for myself I returned to the hospital and again was greeted by Margaret, but this time with a big smile and telling me that D has started to make much progress in his recovery. I do not know who was more excited about this, Margaret or myself, but she was just as ecstatic for the improvement as I was.
Margaret exemplifies the true nature of a caring and giving person and is an asset to the Banner Health System. She is an example of what all healthcare individuals should emulate when a person is in their care. Not only does this affect the patient, but every and all members of the family and Margaret understands this. As trying as this ordeal has been for D and myself, if it was not for Margaret and the fine men in security, I do not know how we would have gotten through this. She will forever be in our gratitude and forever a special part of our lives.