I was a first-time mom patient in the high risk maternal fetal medicine unit. I was admitted to the hospital at 35 weeks with labile hypertension, IUGR, severe preeclampsia. We tried for about 5 years to get pregnant with IVF and had a bumpy ride through months 6-8 of my pregnancy. Once I hit 7 months, I was at the hospital each week, often admitted and our stress levels were at an all-time high. When I was admitted to deliver my blood pressure was extraordinarily high and I was not even packed for the hospital. Helen was the first nurse I had in my labor & delivery room and I honestly do not know how I could have made it through those 48+ hours without her. This woman became my mom, friend, advocate, nurse, confidant, champion, doula, the list goes on. Helen held my hand when I was nervous or going through a procedure, spoke for me when I could not, knew what I needed when I had no idea, hugged me when I cried and believed me when I said something was wrong.

The last 12 hours before I delivered, I started to feel my body fade and my throat was closing from fluids I had gained from medication. None of the doctors that came to check on me believed me when I said something was wrong. Helen looked me in the eyes and believed what I was saying. She finally ordered blood work and worked on reducing my fluids so I could breathe again. When the blood work came back, my sodium levels indicated I was going into hyponatremia and we had a very short window to get the baby out and make sure the both of us were okay. At this point, Helen was past her shift and staying longer to make sure I had the support I needed. I 100% credit her for speaking up for me and advocating for me to save my life and my daughter's life. I honestly do not believe we would have had the outcome we did and I do believe I may have died had it not been for her directing the doctors.

Helen even came to visit me while I was recovering, and we both cried and hugged because it was such a close call. I will never forget her in my life and will always make sure my baby girl knows who she is and that she helped make sure she made it into this world. I truly hope you are able to recognize that you have a superstar employee that goes above and beyond to make sure her patients are taken care of. She is a prime example of the incredible, vital work a nurse does and should be commended for it.