There's a female patient that when new to dialysis Sonya McNeil helped cope with her life-changing diagnosis. This patient worked and traveled extensively, however with her new diagnosis and need to ICHD three days per week for four hours each day, all of that changed. Sonya saw the impact dialysis was having in the patient's life and being the RN that she is, took time to befriend and encourage her each treatment. Thanks to the CVC and eventual AVF, the patient battled body image concerns and depression. Sonya, engaging the patient each treatment, noticed this and began encouraging the patient by offering her ideas on how to dress differently to hide her access. Improvement in the patient's demeanor was noticed by the team. She stopped missing treatments and was actively engaged in her treatments, the patient even encouraged other patients to not miss treatments.
After a while, Sonya noticed the patient slipping back into a state of depression. During their chats, Sonya would listen for cues as to what was going on. Eventually, the patient referenced not being able to travel as she used to and it was the source of her sadness. Sonya re-educated the patient on traveling while on dialysis and the patient perked up. She started planning trips, with the social worker, confident she would get a treatment wherever she traveled.
This father of the patient heard about Sonya and her desire to grow in healthcare. Through the patient, he began encouraging Sonya to pursue her dreams. Today, this patient and Sonya have an inseparable bond. The patient is thriving on dialysis, awaiting a transplant, and Sonya, with the father's insistence and encouragement, is now a Licensed RN, as was he.