This is the story of my husband, M’s journey. This journey began about 18 months ago. M's diagnosis was grave. His liver was failing and required weekly treatment. My husband isn’t the easiest person to care for and when combined with his illness he is even more difficult. He needed someone he could relate to, challenge him, and quite frankly put him in his place when needed. Jackie treated M for nearly 1 year almost every week. They found common ground in where they were both born, New York, as well as her spouse and he both worked in the same profession. I think unbeknownst to both of them they developed a bond. Jackie is special, very caring, and yet assertive when needed. And he definitely needed assertiveness! M was a “frequent flyer” and with his diagnosis, I suspect easy for some to pass judgment. Jackie never did, she always made him feel cared for. 

I am not sure where, to begin with, Jackie, except to say that she has been the inevitable watchful eye as a nurse to catch the things like low hemoglobin, frequently, during my husband's outpatient procedures. She constantly engaged his physician to be sure my husband had the care he needed. Without her critical care skills and just genuinely noticing changes in him, I am sure our visits to the ER would have risen significantly as he often needed blood transfusions. But Jackie went far beyond this, she would go and pick up a meal/snack for him when I couldn’t be there, she was there to remind him to be nice, she was there to get him a drink, she was there to ask what his long-term medical plan was and to push us (me) in the right direction when I wasn’t sure where to go with his care. She pushed me at the right times and in the right direction without scaring me as I was scared enough. Without her guidance, he may have not made it organ transplant. Jackie also knew how to “work” my husband since he can be difficult, she knew how to push him, and he needed that. She swapped stories with my husband and keep him on his toes. She would text me to double-check when M was missing from her schedule. She would help change his schedule as this was a pretty significant challenge with the new EPIC system. Jackie would often text me to let me know M was done with his weekly treatment. This helped me so much because I was busy trying to work, worrying about him, and worrying about the next steps and the quick texts gave me peace of mind – Because of the relationship M and I developed with Jackie, I did not feel guilty not being there with him.

Although his journey isn’t over, I do know that without Jackie and the other care team, M would not have pushed through the journey. And I would have struggled significantly. As M moved forward with organ transplant treatment, he often said, “I need my healthcare team (as if he is their only patient), they know me and take good care of me. I need ‘my’ team.” I know a nurse’s job is tough, and busy, and you are dealing with often cranky people like my husband. But you really do make a difference, it is not just words. Jackie made a lasting impact on M and on me. She helped us both survive this journey.

On the day of and shortly after the transplant, the first thing we did was text Jackie with pictures. M was so proud to send the picture with a thumbs up. To Jackie, there simply are no words that would cover the depth of my appreciation for your compassion, your skill, and your kindness. M received his gift of life three days after his birthday. A few weeks ago, M, my daughter, and I had the opportunity to come to say thank you to both Jackie and T. It’s a moment that will be forever etched in my memory. A moment where no words were needed, but a silence that simply said thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The bond between a patient and a nurse is like no other. I think often it is easy to get caught up in the hustle of all the chaos and patients. But I want you to know, you hold the key every day to change a family’s life. Thank you, Jackie with all my heart for being kind, understanding, non-judgmental, tough, persistent, and genuinely caring. You’re amazing.