Shelby Cassens
July 2023
Shelby
Cassens
,
TNS, ECRN
Emergency Department
Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital
Huntley
,
IL
United States
Shelby loved my boy beyond simple training and procedure. She chose to care. She made the decision to truly heal W. Nurse Shelby is a blessing for me and my family. She will forever be a part of our story.
Nurse Shelby saved my son’s life- I know it! She was the one that set everything else in motion. I will forever remember her.
Here’s the story: In February, my son W was very ill- general flu-like symptoms and such. Took him to the pediatrician 3x to receive dismissive diagnosis at best. Eventually, after W had lost over 30 lbs., not been to school in a month, looking extremely pale and being gravely weak, we arrived at Huntley ER.
The doctors could find no cause for his gastro issues and recommended GI specialist. I could not get an appointment until later in the month. I knew my son would not be able to live that long given his declining health. I called back to Huntley ER several times seeking help. Each time I was able to receive sympathetic answers.
Ten days later, W collapsed in my arms. I rushed him back to Huntley ER. As I was retelling my story to our nurse, Shelby happened to overhear. She said, “You’re the mom who kept calling here. I recognize your voice!”
From there, it was swift action with take charge tests and a transfer to Ascension. We were at Ascension for 5 days with an amazing team of doctors and nurses. Frustrating to all, W's tests kept coming back as okay… until day 2 when Huntley made a follow-up phone call. Huntley found W had a blood infection and long-lasting mono.
Ascension then followed that diagnosis to discover the blood infection had spread to my son's heart and we got transferred to Lurie. A week later W had open heart surgery. Now 2 months in recovery, my son is healing and on the road to recovery.
I absolutely know that if Nurse Shelby had at any point said, “Oh well, not my patient anymore,” or “Let someone else do it” my son would not be alive today. Shelby loved my boy beyond simple training and procedure. She chose to care. She made the decision to truly heal W. Nurse Shelby is a blessing for me and my family. She will forever be a part of our story.
Thank you, nurse Shelby for being the example spoken of when students are handed their degree. Each and every trainee should have to witness Shelby in action that’s how you are as a nurse. It’s not a job, it’s her “Calling”. I cannot stop from crying each time I share this chapter in our lives. Shelby is an inspiration and a gem of a soul. My heart is filled with joy because Nurse Shelby matched this mother’s love for her son.
Here’s the story: In February, my son W was very ill- general flu-like symptoms and such. Took him to the pediatrician 3x to receive dismissive diagnosis at best. Eventually, after W had lost over 30 lbs., not been to school in a month, looking extremely pale and being gravely weak, we arrived at Huntley ER.
The doctors could find no cause for his gastro issues and recommended GI specialist. I could not get an appointment until later in the month. I knew my son would not be able to live that long given his declining health. I called back to Huntley ER several times seeking help. Each time I was able to receive sympathetic answers.
Ten days later, W collapsed in my arms. I rushed him back to Huntley ER. As I was retelling my story to our nurse, Shelby happened to overhear. She said, “You’re the mom who kept calling here. I recognize your voice!”
From there, it was swift action with take charge tests and a transfer to Ascension. We were at Ascension for 5 days with an amazing team of doctors and nurses. Frustrating to all, W's tests kept coming back as okay… until day 2 when Huntley made a follow-up phone call. Huntley found W had a blood infection and long-lasting mono.
Ascension then followed that diagnosis to discover the blood infection had spread to my son's heart and we got transferred to Lurie. A week later W had open heart surgery. Now 2 months in recovery, my son is healing and on the road to recovery.
I absolutely know that if Nurse Shelby had at any point said, “Oh well, not my patient anymore,” or “Let someone else do it” my son would not be alive today. Shelby loved my boy beyond simple training and procedure. She chose to care. She made the decision to truly heal W. Nurse Shelby is a blessing for me and my family. She will forever be a part of our story.
Thank you, nurse Shelby for being the example spoken of when students are handed their degree. Each and every trainee should have to witness Shelby in action that’s how you are as a nurse. It’s not a job, it’s her “Calling”. I cannot stop from crying each time I share this chapter in our lives. Shelby is an inspiration and a gem of a soul. My heart is filled with joy because Nurse Shelby matched this mother’s love for her son.