I find it difficult to adequately express the depth and lengths Andrea went in caring for me. The best I can do is tell you some of my story and how Andrea has been such a bright light in a very dark time.
I contracted COVID-19 in July 2020. I knew I had it and simply quarantined myself and my family thinking that as a young, healthy, mother of three, I'd just have a few "flu-like" days. Unfortunately, this was not the case. One day I woke up with intense pain and generalized muscle weakness so extreme I couldn't walk. My husband carried me to the car and took me to the emergency department at St. Elizabeth in Edgewood. I was wheeled into the hospital and that started a very long separation from my husband, family, and loved ones.
After testing positive for COVID, I was transferred to Fort Thomas St Elizabeth 2 South West where I had the honor of meeting Andrea. One evening I stood to walk to the restroom and my body wouldn't cooperate, Everything screamed out in extreme pain. Thankfully, Andrea was right there, she nearly carried me to the bathroom. I heard her say "I got you." For the first time in days, I felt that it was going to be ok. She went way above just regular nursing duties.
The first time I was rushed to the ICU, all I could feel was a scary, dark, haze as my lungs fought to find air. It was then I felt her gloved hand in mine and heard her say "I won't leave you." That gave me such comfort. She walked with me down to ICU and stayed near me until the ICU nurses had reassured her they had me. Andrea came after her shift was over to check on me and bring me comfort even when she wasn't assigned to me.
Over the next 5 weeks, I battled many complications: heart failure, blood clots, hematoma in my leg, and pulmonary embolisms to name a few. Despite all of these complications, Andrea stayed close and remained a constant in my care. She took time to do things that may seem minor but meant so much to me. She would wash and braid my hair when I didn't have the strength to even stand on my own. She stayed late after her shift one evening to shave my legs! Her dedication to excellence and patient-centered care shined through in all our interactions, these are just a few examples of how she excels as a clinician. At one point during my stay, she even took a couple of moments to sing to me! That's extraordinary care!!!
Andrea kept my husband and sister well informed and up to date on the details of my care. She allowed them to ask as many questions as they wanted and called them regularly to provide updates. My husband expressed this helped him feel at ease with my care. Andrea then again took patient/family care to a new, extraordinary level. One that left my family and me amazed.
I am a stay-at-home mother of three children under the age of 5. When I was admitted to the hospital my husband had to take off work to keep the kids and run the household. He was given 3 weeks off. The first week it was discovered that all three children also had COVID. Therefore, he had to quarantine all three children and himself. Andrea began a campaign among the hospital staff on 2 South West and ICU to help my husband and our children through this difficult time. She worked for several days gathering gift cards, diapers, wipes, and gifts for my children. During my time in the hospital, my youngest son turned 1 and learned to walk. Andrea organized birthday gifts to be sent to my house. She heard that my oldest son (age 5) feared I was never coming home so she organized to have gifts sent to all of my children. She went out of her way to reassure them that Momma was coming home as soon as I was better. She said she wanted to help my family and my children know that the people caring for their Momma were taking very good care of her. She organized it in a manner in which nurses, administration, physicians, anyone who was willing and able could give to her cause. So many followed her lead and gave to our family in more ways than I could ever imagine. She did all this as a surprise to my husband and me. I remain completely overwhelmed with the love she brought and how she pulled everyone together to help a family she had just met. That's extraordinary care!
As if all of the examples above were not enough, Andrea found another way to go above and beyond to provide extraordinary care. I wholeheartedly believe in the power of prayer. I had expressed this to Andrea on several occasions. She told me she was praying for me. However, she went further than just praying for me, she was innovative and found a way to begin a prayer chain via word of mouth and provide me with a visual representation of the prayers supporting my healing. Andrea placed a cork board map of the US in my room and assisted me in marking all of the states in which I had friends and family praying. This allowed me to have a visual reminder of the nation-wide prayer chain that was happening on my behalf. This has not only been encouraging to me but has also become a discussion piece and encouragement to all.
Ultimately, Andrea is not only an extraordinary clinician but also an extraordinary person. Having her on my care team provided me with a support system within the walls of the hospital during a time in which I have been unable to be in contact with my family and friends. While I had no idea to what extreme she would make good on the promise, "I'm right here," I knew the moment she said, "I got you," I was in good hands.