Two years ago, when I decided to transfer from North Tower 6Medical (a floor I knew and loved) to the HVI Diagnostics Lab, I met Michelle Hesterberg. She floats between Interventional Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, and Diagnostics lab and is also our unit educator. She has been at Carle for 22 years. She made me feel welcome and our friendship grew. I remember thinking "How does her brain hold that much information?" I would often tease her and say she was a walking information bank. When I would see her with patients, she would always portray confidence which in turn would earn their trust. She has an excellent way of organizing the information and communicating to the patient, whether it be explaining the tests and the risks or explaining the importance of a medication including the benefits and side effects. She has a demeanor about her that makes a patient feel safe and secure. She is always professional, sensitive, skilled and intuitive.
One day this summer started out as any other normal busy working day but it changed when I began profusely sweating for no reason. I remember looking up at Michelle as she walked up to the desk and saying, "I don't know what is going on." I could tell Michelle's nursing assessment skills took over as she looked at me. I was not having shortness of breath, nausea or chest pain but she knew my pertinent health history of having Type I diabetes for 37 years. A short breather to the break room did not help the symptoms at all. I remember feeling and thinking to myself that something isn't right. When I returned to the desk, Michelle took my hand and said, "Come on, let's get an EKG." That EKG led to an ED visit, an exercise stress echocardiogram a catheterization and on to a 3 vessel CABG.
After the stress test was positive, Michelle kept me informed of what would be happening pre/post cath. She remained calm and very informative the entire time, which helped me tremendously. When she received word that I was then going to be moving on to a 3 vessel CABG, she was there for emotional support through phone calls, visits, and texts during my pre/post-surgical period. I remember thinking, "I might be a nurse, but I am not prepared for this." Michelle kept me informed which in turn kept me calm. I knew I was in the best place for treatment which was in the care of the Carle physicians, NPs, PAs, nurses, CNAs, respiratory therapists, anesthesia and CRNAs but I was still quite overwhelmed.
Michelle met her calling when she chose Nursing as her Profession. I have not only been blessed to see and hear her care for her patients, but I was able to experience it personally. She was so supportive and had a positive attitude after my surgery. She also took the time with concerns for my husband who had just had major rotator cuff surgery two days prior to me becoming ill. She knew the stress and guilt I was carrying because I was supposed to be my husband's nurse and I was now in the hospital. Since neither my husband nor I were going to be able to drive for at least four weeks, she organized meals by coworkers to be delivered to our house for two weeks. She also organized a house cleaning for us. I learned very quickly what a great facility I was a part of in the Heart and Vascular Institute. We were so thankful and appreciative for the kindness shown. It brings tears to my eyes!
Michelle has helped us so much in our recovery. Thanks to her great compassion and great organization abilities, we have been able to put our energy towards healing. I know she is a very busy person working full time, volunteering, and staying very active in her church, but she took time out of her busy schedule to help us in any way she could. We will be forever grateful to Michelle. To know Michelle is to love her!