My husband had been experiencing shortness of breath and came in on a Thursday for an angiogram. Good thing he followed the doctor's strong suggestion because, it showed 3 blocked arteries, 2 at 95%!! He was admitted and had a Triple Bypass open heart surgery. It was successful and there was no heart muscle of valve damage. Regardless it was terrifying. Alyssa was his first nurse post-op in the ASHU/ICU unit. I truly was in shock, numb, scared, and overwhelmed the first time I saw him - intubated, sedated, and over 30 IVs and machines hooked up to him. I cried to see he had gone through so much but knew the surgeons repaired his blocked arteries and replaced them with his veins as a new route of vessels in his heart.
The moment I met Alyssa she was someone I immediately knew was extraordinary. She was kind and professional, sweet, but strong. Alyssa was so clear in her manner of speaking that I understood everything the first time she explained it, all while taking care of my husband. She worked so hard and fast with incredible precision for her entire shift knowing each and every step. By the time he left her care, he was talking, eating a little, urinating, and asking questions. She seamlessly handed off his care to the next nurse each day/night. She hugged me when I needed it, reassured me, and especially him. She worked tirelessly to make sure he felt safe, comfortable, medicated, assisted, and helped with an incredible attitude of nursing excellence unparalleled of any surgery I've even seen for all of his previous surgeries (6). I believe doctors fix, mend, and surgically repair our bodies with miraculous modern medicine, talent, and skill. But it is the nurse who saves lives by their bedside manner, assistance, precise care, and reassurance. Alyssa is one of the BEST and Christ Hospital is so lucky to have her on staff and my husband got her as a literal Angel. May God Bless her and keep her close always.