My daughter, A, age 28, was in a horrific automobile accident. A was a passenger in the rear seat that was rear-ended by a large box truck. She was in San Antonio for the wedding of her best friend. A five am phone call from my son at University Hospital emergency room was the call no parent ever wants to hear. Her brother reported that A was in critical condition and that her father and I needed to get to San Antonio as soon as possible. Hearts racing, we immediately headed to San Antonio from Houston. Upon arriving at the Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital, my heart sank as I watched my daughter fight for her life. She was hooked up to every possible device I could think of. The nurse informed me that A had a number of serious internal injuries. Seven thoracic vertebrae fractures, a broken clavicle and scapula, a collapsed lung, a cerebral hemorrhage, a spinal hemorrhage, a broken sternum and was on a ventilator.
All the nurses on this unit were outstanding, however, I must commend Melissa as exceptional. There were several nights where the going was rough for A, but one night, in particular, stands out. A started with having an episode of ICU psychosis, which I understand is common in patients who have been in an ICU for a while. A also had a fever of unknown origin which complicated things. Her heart was racing at a rate of 155-165 sustained, her respirations were 30-35 and her blood pressure began to tank. A's chest was heaving trying to compensate for oxygen intake. Being a nurse, I was extremely concerned because I knew what was happening. I was so racked with fear, my body was trembling uncontrollably. I had to step outside to compose myself but I knew I had to go back in to be with A. When I entered the room again Melissa had taken control of a very serious situation. She had called in a couple of nurses to assist her with A while coordinating pharmacy meds and calling the doctors on call that night. All the while, she moved like a ninja, quickly, quietly and efficiently. She kept her cool, directing the other nurses to help. Even through all this, she managed to smile and reassure me with comforting words. I was so proud to be a nurse and watch these extraordinary ladies work as a team, with Melissa as the team leader. A eventually stabilized by the next day. But that night is burned in my memory with both pride and fear. I was so proud of Melissa and how she took control of a very bad situation and kept her cool. I fear, to this day, that I could have lost my daughter that night if not for Melissa.
Melissa was exceptional that night, but not just that night. I had the opportunity to see her work on not just A, but other patients as well. She was always genuinely caring, explaining what she was going to do before a procedure and always listening. Melissa and I were talking about the life flight arrivals and departures one day. I asked her if she ever considered being a Life Flight nurse and she said yes that she had thought about it. I told her I thought she would make a fine life flight nurse because I saw her in action that night. I assured her she had nerves of steel and could work in a stressful situation. I expressed to Melissa that night that I knew she had been in a very stressful situation and that I appreciated her for all the wear and tear. She responded by saying, "Thank you. I love what I do." Melissa is a fine example of the quality nursing care University Hospital has to offer.