I am writing about the nurses, staff and volunteers who work at the infusion center in the Hardner Building. I have been a patient at Saint Vincent Hospital and the Infusion Center since I was diagnosed with GBS/CIDP. This diagnosis turned my entire life and world upside down. Having always been a very independent person who rarely asked for help, I was suddenly overnight helpless and relying upon the nurses, doctors and PCA's at the hospital for everything from AOL's to being able to turn over while sleeping. Eventually, the disease paralyzed me from my neck down which sent me to a nursing home for a week where I developed PE that almost took my life. Emergency procedures and 4 days in Cardiac ICU saved my life. After that I have had a very, very long recovery, which continues today.
The care and compassion of the nurses on the IV team and then those at the infusion center was incredible. They cared for me when all of my veins were blown and I still needed to get my IViG infusions every other week for four days. One of the most painful things I have endured, was when they needed to put in a PICC line that would not stay, after three shots of lidocaine. After this the nurses helped me talk to the doctors about getting a power port to eliminate that pain completely and to be able to concentrate on healing. The stress of the needle pricks had taken a toll on me and my anxiety was through the roof. After getting the power port, the nurses educated me on it and what I need to know about it in case it needs to be accessed elsewhere. They might not be aware that I need a one inch needle, the port is deep and tilted and how they need to steady it to access it.
Every one of these nurses has held my hand when I have been in pain, been there for me through the tears and anxiety of the unknown, never made me feel inferior for needing to use a Hoyer lift, wheelchair, walker, or cane. They have helped me with eating, toileting and just getting through my treatments. I tend to brush things off that are going on medically and they encourage me to talk to my doctors about what is going on with my health for the best treatment possible.
They have celebrated my small victories of not needing the lift, the wheelchair, the walker and the cane. They have been there through everything and showed care and compassion for me and the quality of my life. Each of them is like family. I know I would not be walking unassisted now and back to work full time, while still getting my infusions, without each one of them. Each one of the four hours I spend with them eight days per month is now relaxing and comfortable. Everyone knows me by name and I feel more comfortable there every time I go.
Thank you to Saint Vincent Hospital, The Infusion Center and Allegheny Health Network for diagnosing me when others couldn't, treating me with care, compassion and dignity and helping me to heal to the best of my ability.