Amy Besola
June 2023
Amy
Besola
,
LPN
Outpatient Behavioral Health
UP Health System - Marquette
Marquette
,
MI
United States

 

 

 

When I am there for my treatment, I am often scared because I don't know what side effects I may have, but I feel like Amy is kind of like a "safety net" for me. I trust Amy. I appreciate her more than she knows.
Amy Besola works in the outpatient behavioral health department (in the old hospital -which I believe is still a part of the hospital) and I am not sure she gets much recognition for the meaningful work that she does. I recently became one of the first people to undergo a new medication (Spravato) for treatment-resistant depression. This illness has affected me my whole life and I have not always been the most pleasant person when visiting the office. I often hated going to this office. This new medication (Spravato) can have serious side effects since it is a branch of ketamine. I sit in a room and take the medication and it is Amy's job to make sure I am okay. Each treatment session lasts at least two hours and each dosage of Spravato can bring on a multitude of symptoms and especially dissociation. I see her once a week and knowing that she is my nurse automatically comforts me because I feel her compassion. She can often tell just by looking at me how I am feeling and she takes the time out of her busy schedule to talk to me about it. She goes above and beyond what she needs to do because I know she is busy with a multitude of things at once, but I am never aware of anything that she has to do except give me her full attention. Unfortunately, I am often ashamed to admit that I have treatment-resistant depression, but Amy has helped me to see that this is something that I do not need to be ashamed of. She asks me questions about my care and she provides follow up with my doctor. She takes care of little things that I might need and is always willing to help. I do not use the word "always" very often, but I can easily use it for this nomination. I know everyone in every profession has bad days, but Amy does not let that show. If I have a question about the medication, she will research it and let me know the answer and she has called about my medication numerous times to save me the hassle of having to do it. When I am there for my treatment, I am often scared because I don't know what side effects I may have, but I feel like Amy is kind of like a "safety net" for me. I trust Amy. I appreciate her more than she knows because working as a nurse in an outpatient behavioral clinic is often times a thankless job. I am guessing that she mostly sees sad, anxious, depressed, or angry people each day. People do not typically go to outpatient behavioral health because they are happy. I think she works tirelessly with a lot of sick people which may not be the most pleasant, and I really think that I was probably one of the unpleasant people in the past, but I want her to know that she is appreciated and valued. The work that she does is noticed and appreciated. Amy has a high level of compassion and I have a high level of respect for the treatment that she has provided to me.