I am a patient who is on 100% disability and have been treated in many hospitals in the past. Recently I was traveling from NY to FL to attend the Citrus Bowl. I did not feel well and attributed it to the heat and my sugar levels since I am diabetic. I sent my wife on ahead to meet up with friends while I was headed to the bathroom, but I became disoriented and confused. I happened upon some friends of mine and they called an ambulance who rushed me to ORMC, not knowing what was wrong with me.
When I arrived at ORMC, a nurse introduced herself to me and my wife as Nurse Melissa. She proceeded to ask me questions and that if I could not answer then my wife could assist, but she really wanted me to try. As she was asking me questions, I found her voice very comforting as she remained very calm in this intense situation. I had no idea my heart rate dropped to under 40. As Nurse Melissa continued to ask me questions, she kept me calm, speaking to me, not at me, reassuring me that everything was going to work out, as now I was starting to get agitated, anxious and scared. Nurse Melissa maintained a constant conversation with my wife as well, reassuring her that I was in the best and finest hospital in Florida. At one time became argumentative and wanted to leave. Nurse Melissa continued to reassure me in a soft but direct soothing voice that I needed to be where I was right now, and it could be a possibility that I could leave soon. During this time I remember her calling others as my heart rate continued to drop to 35, then 30 and she stayed with me as other staff came to my room. I told her I needed to use the restroom, she advised me to not get up or even try as she brought in a bedside commode to appease me. She also kept reassuring my wife, that I was in the best possible place and she asked my wife to step out of the room and wait outside as a number of people were now coming in.
I did not feel that I was unaware of things going on around me at any time, but my nurse attempted to keep me in the loop although my behavior and thought process was not really wanting to hear it and not cooperating. I heard my nurse say his heart rate is at 20 and dropping. I looked out the window to see my wife with a terrified look on her face as I heard someone say it's now 15. At this point, I tried to get out of bed. After that is a blur, but I remember Nurse Melissa catching me as I went down to the floor preventing me from hitting my head and a couple of guys grabbing me and putting me back into bed. When I woke up, she was standing right there talking to me in a calm voice. Suddenly I got the wakeup call of my life when I was electrically paddled. That was the most painful experience I have ever had to endure, but I can still hear my nurse's voice telling me to just breathe and it will be over soon, you're going to be alright. She also continued to reassure my wife that we were not alone and would get through this.
I was taken to the OR but the last thing I remember of Nurse Melissa was her holding my hand telling me in her soft voice that I was going to be ok. When I woke up in the ICU my wife was with me smiling and said Nurse Melissa was right, I was going to be alright. I can't recall all that she did for me, but I do know she has left an incredible mark on my life, I think of her every day and how lucky and fortunate she was the one taking care of me. Looking back, I still get emotional about it, as she saved my life. I write this nomination with a newfound sense of life knowing that grace Nurse Melissa showed me as she saved me.