...The following morning, I had the same amazing nurse, Michelle. There is no "pat on the back, DAISY Award, or Great Award" that could be equivalent to what she deserves. I had an unforeseeable circumstance come about with my baby. Her bilirubin was already high and was rapidly increasing. The doctor was afraid that with the upcoming holiday, she would not be able to be seen by another pediatrician in time in case her jaundice got worse. Our plans to discharge came to a halt and we were faced with going home without our baby. She needed to be supplemented with formula and needed to flush out the bilirubin. The rest of the day she had to be strictly under the bili light; I was only able to hold her one time for 30 minutes. Michelle was such a positive influence throughout this whole overwhelming ordeal. She even told us she would try and do everything she could to make sure our baby could go home with us.

She went above and beyond what I believe any nurse would do. She answered all of our questions and reassured us through every moment of heartache. When she asked me how I was doing and I told her how overwhelming this all was, she stopped and gave me a hug. I even told her how if it had been any other nurse, I wouldn't have been able to handle it as well as I did. And I meant every word. The tears in her eyes as she gave me another hug proved to me how much of a blessing she is to Methodist.

We were able to go home later that evening, and she even made sure we had everything we needed as she went over our discharge. This was an experience I will always remember.