Courtney Lacoste
December 2020
Courtney
Lacoste
,
RN
Medical/Surgical Telemetry
Ochsner Medical Center - Hancock
Words cannot describe the feeling of peace I felt when I saw my companion; it seemed as if an enormous weight had been lifted off my shoulders. And it was at this moment that I knew, thanks to Courtney, I was not walking this path alone.
It was just supposed to be a colonoscopy. My ride dropped me off and within a few minutes, I was processed and escorted to the Pre-Op area. Questions answered and consents signed then off to the room for the colonoscopy. The last thing I remember is one of the nurses telling me they were going to take good care of me. In what seemed like just a few seconds, I woke up back in the Pre-Op area. My physician explained there was an obstruction and he would like to consult a surgeon. I agreed. Shortly thereafter, I was admitted to Med-Surg. I knew going into the procedure I had colon cancer. But actually, hearing these words from the physician was overwhelming. In addition, I realized COVID-19 safety measures prevented visitors. It seemed this was one path I had to walk alone.
Post-Op, I was admitted to ICU. My days in this unit still are a little fuzzy but I do not remember being in pain or uncomfortable. After a few days, I was transferred back to Med-Surg. The nursing staff was incredible, and the care was exceptional. These, however, did not prevent despair from setting in. Nighttime was the worst. I thought I was clever enough to hide my despair, but this was not accurate.
Courtney was my nurse for a couple of days. Somehow, she knew I was struggling with this diagnosis. So unbeknownst to me, she developed a plan to combat my despair. On her days off, Courtney lobbied on my behalf with different departmental administrative colleagues for permission to execute her plan. Still, off duty, she even coordinated with her nursing colleagues.
Finally, one evening my nurse told me she wanted to take me for a ride in a wheelchair. She pushed the chair down a long corridor then outside an exit. As she parked the wheelchair, I thought we were there simply for some fresh air. Looking around, however, I noticed one other person standing several feet away on the sidewalk. A closer look revealed this person to be my companion of 40 years. Words cannot describe the feeling of peace I felt when I saw my companion; it seemed as if an enormous weight had been lifted off my shoulders. And it was at this moment that I knew, thanks to Courtney, I was not walking this path alone. When I thanked Courtney for her act of kindness and the caring that was involved, she replied, "I was just doing my job."
Courtney's act of kindness and the caring involved went way beyond "just doing my job." I always will remember her kindness and how she unselfishly gave her time and energy on my behalf.
Post-Op, I was admitted to ICU. My days in this unit still are a little fuzzy but I do not remember being in pain or uncomfortable. After a few days, I was transferred back to Med-Surg. The nursing staff was incredible, and the care was exceptional. These, however, did not prevent despair from setting in. Nighttime was the worst. I thought I was clever enough to hide my despair, but this was not accurate.
Courtney was my nurse for a couple of days. Somehow, she knew I was struggling with this diagnosis. So unbeknownst to me, she developed a plan to combat my despair. On her days off, Courtney lobbied on my behalf with different departmental administrative colleagues for permission to execute her plan. Still, off duty, she even coordinated with her nursing colleagues.
Finally, one evening my nurse told me she wanted to take me for a ride in a wheelchair. She pushed the chair down a long corridor then outside an exit. As she parked the wheelchair, I thought we were there simply for some fresh air. Looking around, however, I noticed one other person standing several feet away on the sidewalk. A closer look revealed this person to be my companion of 40 years. Words cannot describe the feeling of peace I felt when I saw my companion; it seemed as if an enormous weight had been lifted off my shoulders. And it was at this moment that I knew, thanks to Courtney, I was not walking this path alone. When I thanked Courtney for her act of kindness and the caring that was involved, she replied, "I was just doing my job."
Courtney's act of kindness and the caring involved went way beyond "just doing my job." I always will remember her kindness and how she unselfishly gave her time and energy on my behalf.