Christina Sheets demonstrated exceptional care during our son's 4 1/2-month admission in the NICU. Our "Twin B" was born at 30 weeks' gestation, was unable to breathe on his own, and required a ventilator for 2 ½ months.
Christina developed a strong bond with him. She went above and beyond what her job required. While he was on the ventilator, the alarms would constantly sound and Christina would always go to his bedside and visually look at him and assess the situation. We had a problem with the humidity building up in the ventilator tubing. Christina would shake out the tubing every three hours and sometimes more to help prevent the water build up. Christina was his nurse each day of his scheduled surgeries and she always made sure we were able to snuggle and hold him before surgery and kept us up to date. We knew there was a possibility a tracheostomy would be placed during his first surgery, which was the case. Christina called us back to his bedside after surgery and we watched our baby through a plastic box. He laid there-sedated, nasal stents, face and entire body swollen. It broke our heart to see him struggling. Seeing the tracheostomy for the first time hit hard. We could not help but sob seeing our child in this condition. He was fighting for his life. Christina was there in that moment, providing silence, how powerful that was for us.
One day we went to visit him and he had a mobile on his crib thanks to Christina. He loved it. It was a great moment as this was the first time we saw him doing a normal baby activity. Christina took the time to entertain him, she found him age appropriate toys, and held him frequently. She set up his crib with a music box and rocking seat. Even if she was not his assigned nurse, she would always acknowledge him. On our day of discharge, Christina bought him several toys for his homecoming. She knew he had never met his twin brother. We had no professional pictures of him or pictures of both twins together. Christina completed a photoshoot in the NICU and printed us pictures. She also bought the boys matching outfits.
Christina provided exceptional care and she loved our son. Christina has good technique, knowledge, and social interaction with patients and families. She taught us how to care for our son's special needs and encouraged us in a professional manner. She was a consistent caregiver who anticipated his needs. This was extremely important because he cannot cry due to the tracheostomy. She encouraged a pacifier while he was on the ventilator. She would hold it in his mouth because he could not keep it in there himself. After his nasal stenting, the pacifier would not fit inside his mouth because of the stents. She cut the pacifier which allowed him to take the pacifier. This was instrumental in his learning to suck on a bottle. Christina was the only nurse who could get him to drink 120 ml bottle every 3 hours. We were worried he would have a g-tube; however, thanks to Christina, he is taking his bottles like a champ.
Christina acknowledged and greeted us with every visit. She would always get chairs and recliners for us to snuggle our son. She updated us on his status and direction of care, addressing our questions immediately. She was respectful to our physical and emotional needs. She listened to our concerns, fears, and hopes without judgement.
This has been a long, exhausting, extremely difficult, and overwhelming experience. We live one hour from the hospital. I was always pleased when I called in to check on our son and learned Christina was his nurse. Christina's care has amazed us and left us with a sense of belonging. We have two miracle babies thanks to St. John's Children's Hospital and Christina Sheets.