April 2019
Rachel
Queen
,
RN
Post-Surgical Unit
DCH Regional Medical Center
Tuscaloosa
,
AL
United States
My son had to have his tonsils and adenoids removed. I took him for his pre-op the day before where we met Rachel. She saw my son while he was having his vitals taken and stopped to speak to him and compliment his Paw Patrol shoes. She engaged him in a way that calmed these anxious momma's nerves. She talked to him, found out about his love of dinosaurs and brought him some dinosaur stickers. Even took him to meet some of her other nurse friends, next door, which made it easier for me to communicate with the nurse doing his paperwork. Rachel even went to find him a new sucker after he dropped his and as he said it "got dirty." Rachel was awesome. She asked when we'd be back for the procedure and I told her the next day. She said she'd come to see him. I thought what a sweet sentiment. But she'll probably be too busy or it will slip her mind. Fast forward to the morning of the surgery, there's a knock on the door while we're waiting for my son to be taken back, and it's Rachel, with dinosaur stickers! My son was excited to see a familiar face and I almost burst into tears. With all the things I'm sure she has to do, she did what she said and came to see my son. It was only a few minutes before the surgery nurses came to get him. Rachel picked him up and was going to help get him settled in the bed. He wasn't into that so she asked if she could carry him to the OR. The other nurses said it was ok and off they went. Instead of hearing my son crying all the way down the hall, all I heard were his dinosaur roars and for that, I'm forever thankful! I may not always remember everything that happened the day of his surgery, but I promise you I will always remember the genuine kindness Rachel showed toward my family, especially my son!