My story is two-fold and honestly a story I wish on nobody. I took my 15-year-old to the pediatrician because he was losing weight and tired. We were immediately sent to Golisano's emergency room and D was diagnosed with new-onset Type 1 Diabetes. His sugar was over 650 and he had ketoacidosis. Jon was our night nurse for our 2 days in PICU. It was a scary time with a lot of changes. He was great with D and a calming presence for both of us.
The story did not end there. Two weeks later my oldest son was playing in a basketball tournament when he collapsed. D's heart went into V-Fib. I started mouth to mouth and a friend started chest compressions and an AED was used to save his life. When we arrived at the PICU Jon was once again our night nurse for 4 days. Having the same nurse who was with D was a huge comfort. The first night was horrible. D was coming out of sedation so he was disoriented and out of it and I was scared and overwhelmed. I was grateful for Jon's presence, calming words, and humor. As D became more aware, he looked forward to the evening shift when he knew Jon would be back. D is a 17-year-old athlete whose life was turned upside down.... he would need a defibrillator and would never play the sport he loved again. D could relate to Jon and he talked to him about his new lifestyle. He explained what was happening at the moment and what was to come in a way that a 17-year-old boy can understand.
The PICU is a busy place but Jon took the time to get to know D, and they discussed sports and fishing. D has told me he hopes to go fishing with him in the future. Time and time again Jon was there for all of us. He was amazing with my boys but on top of that, he provided comfort for me. He answered my multiple questions and assured me that both of my boys would be ok. Nights were often overwhelming for me. As a mom watching your children suffer is the worst thing in the world. I cannot get the vision of my oldest son's heart stopping while he lay in my arms and the events that followed out of my head. Jon listened to my ramblings at night and provided words of comfort when I was breaking down and could not sleep.
I will forever be grateful for the care we received in Golisano because everyone was amazing. However, the relationship Jon formed with my children when they were at their lowest point went above and beyond and words cannot express my gratitude.