May 2022
Emily J.
Wallace
,
BSN, RN
CICU
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
Cleveland
,
OH
United States
Emily walked with me, she held my hand, she comforted me, and she cried with me.
My world came crashing down when my 29 year old husband suffered from a tragic accident. He was admitted to UH hospital on life support, and my husband remained on life support for sixty-five hours which most definitely felt like a lifetime. During that time I was devastated, emotional, scared, and all over heartbroken. My husband's nurse Emily Wallace stood by my side and advocated for my husband and me. Emily fought for the answers we needed to make the very difficult decision to remove life support, she stood by my side as I spoke with the doctors to make sure all of my questions were answered and I understood what was being communicated. Emily cared for my husband as if she was caring for her own loved one, not only did she care for the patient, but she also cared for me. She stood by my side and rubbed my back while I cried and she made sure I had water so I wouldn't be dehydrated. Emily offered to sit with my husband and hold his hand so I could get some rest, or go home to see our two young children ages 1 and 5. The amazing care continued as my husband was wheeled into the operating room to become an organ donor. Emily walked with me, she held my hand, she comforted me, and she cried with me. I asked Emily to record the final walk for me as I laid in my husband’s hospital bed beside him, for the very last time. Emily walked me all the way to my car and made sure I was safe after seeing my husband with his blood flowing for the very last time, she cried with me and I know she felt my pain. Emily is an example of an amazing nurse, she is caring, compassionate, and trustworthy. During what is surely the hardest time in my life Emily has made a meaningful and memorable difference. I will never forget or be able to express the gratitude I feel Emily has made during this tragic time. During the worst time of my life I am grateful for one thing, during my husband's last days in this world, he received the best care. As I continue my journey to becoming a nurse, I hope that one day I can touch the hearts of the patients and families I serve as Emily did ours.