Stephanie Troicki
January 2021
Stephanie
Troicki
,
RN, CRRN
1 East Acute Rehab
Hackensack Meridian Health - JFK University Medical Center
It was the first time in two weeks that I saw the light at the end of the tunnel and knew everything would be okay. Stephanie had to take my vitals and put them in the computer, but she didn't have to go and get me Dunkin' coffee.
I am a patient who came to JFK rehab after brain surgery for hydrocephalous. I had been at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital where my cardiologist sent me. I needed to wait for the blood thinners he had put me on to wear off before my neurosurgeon could operate on me. After many days, I was transferred to the rehab. That day I got a shocking and sad message that my best friend of 54 years died of the Coronavirus. You would not be able to believe how low I felt. I was so sad and alone. They only let me see my wife for a couple of hours after 4 o'clock. I have never felt as miserable as I did then, feeling so sorry for myself. But then I met a wonderful nurse, Stephanie Troicki, who always had a smile on her face.
Here I was feeling sorry for myself and suddenly I was watching this nurse who was always smiling as she did her job. We got to talking. As she listed to me complaining that I couldn't even get a decent cup of coffee. I told her I drink delicious Dunkin Donuts coffee every morning and here I get a half a cup of cold coffee. Stephanie told me that if she got in early the next day, she would bring me a cup of Dunkin' coffee. I called my wife and told her to bring in the Dunkin Donuts gift cards for free coffee that I have at home. I gave a card to Stephanie. We were taking bets on if Stephanie would actually bring the coffee in the next day. A few minutes before 7 am when Stephanie came in with the delicious Dunkin coffee held above her head, I felt like I hit the lottery. It was the first time in two weeks that I saw the light at the end of the tunnel and knew everything would be okay. This RN had to take my vitals and put them in the computer, but she didn't have to go and get me coffee.
It might sound crazy but that cup of coffee changed my whole attitude. That would've been enough. Stephanie was off the next three days, but she didn't forget me! She had a friend of hers who worked in the office bring me Dunkin coffee for the next three days. People might not think it was a big deal, but here was a nurse who went the extra mile to make me better. I was now a happy camper after having 14 staples in my head, losing my best friend, and spending time wondering if my life was over. I will never forget how Stephanie went above the call of duty to help me. She helped me feel like a person again.
Here I was feeling sorry for myself and suddenly I was watching this nurse who was always smiling as she did her job. We got to talking. As she listed to me complaining that I couldn't even get a decent cup of coffee. I told her I drink delicious Dunkin Donuts coffee every morning and here I get a half a cup of cold coffee. Stephanie told me that if she got in early the next day, she would bring me a cup of Dunkin' coffee. I called my wife and told her to bring in the Dunkin Donuts gift cards for free coffee that I have at home. I gave a card to Stephanie. We were taking bets on if Stephanie would actually bring the coffee in the next day. A few minutes before 7 am when Stephanie came in with the delicious Dunkin coffee held above her head, I felt like I hit the lottery. It was the first time in two weeks that I saw the light at the end of the tunnel and knew everything would be okay. This RN had to take my vitals and put them in the computer, but she didn't have to go and get me coffee.
It might sound crazy but that cup of coffee changed my whole attitude. That would've been enough. Stephanie was off the next three days, but she didn't forget me! She had a friend of hers who worked in the office bring me Dunkin coffee for the next three days. People might not think it was a big deal, but here was a nurse who went the extra mile to make me better. I was now a happy camper after having 14 staples in my head, losing my best friend, and spending time wondering if my life was over. I will never forget how Stephanie went above the call of duty to help me. She helped me feel like a person again.