Eric Tourbier
August 2023
Eric
Tourbier
,
BSN, RN
B4/6 Transplant Surgery
University Hospital, UW Health
Madison
,
WI
United States
He immediately went to his room and helped calm him down. He got him out of bed and working on a puzzle. He was so quick and willing to calm him down, and it’s really meant the world to me ever since.
My son had his second renal auto transplant. His first one was in 2021. We have gotten to know many of the great nurses on the floor, but Eric, he’s such a blessing.
Due to personal health reasons, I couldn’t be there as much as I’d like for my son while he was in the hospital. My son wasn’t recovering this time as well, he had panic attacks, struggled with pain, Nurse Eric was incredible in his care, and I believe the reason my son didn’t give up. There are too many examples to share but to name a few.
My son had a rough day that ended in a panic attack at nighttime. He was lonely, didn’t feel well, tired, and bored. I called the nurse's desk and spoke to Eric, and he immediately went to his room and helped calm him down. He got him out of bed and working on a puzzle. He was so quick and willing to calm him down, and it’s really meant the world to me ever since. It was my birthday and when asked what my favorite gift I’ve ever received was, it was this. After that night, I never once thought about his safety or quality of care. I’ve developed panic disorder from this journey, and I didn’t have any following this experience.
Since recovery was rough, most people could sense that he was defeated. He struggled with everything, couldn’t stand by himself, watching him, I was convinced something was wrong. Eric really gave him some gentle tough love that pushed him to put more effort into his recovery. I don’t know how he did it, but he completely changed my son around.
I kid you not; he went from not even being able to stand on his own to being discharged in a day. He was eating, walking, using stairs, sitting himself up. All these things he couldn’t do just the night before.
I’ve spent the last several years inside hospitals. My dad got sick and hospitalized for 2 weeks, my mom had lung cancer, my son had two auto transplants, my other son had a knee replacement, and my husband had abdominal surgery. All in 2.5 years. I can say with confidence, Eric has been the best nurse I’ve encountered. All the floor nurses are great. I could name several, but Eric’s a true blessing to the transplant floor, the hospital, and his patients.
Due to personal health reasons, I couldn’t be there as much as I’d like for my son while he was in the hospital. My son wasn’t recovering this time as well, he had panic attacks, struggled with pain, Nurse Eric was incredible in his care, and I believe the reason my son didn’t give up. There are too many examples to share but to name a few.
My son had a rough day that ended in a panic attack at nighttime. He was lonely, didn’t feel well, tired, and bored. I called the nurse's desk and spoke to Eric, and he immediately went to his room and helped calm him down. He got him out of bed and working on a puzzle. He was so quick and willing to calm him down, and it’s really meant the world to me ever since. It was my birthday and when asked what my favorite gift I’ve ever received was, it was this. After that night, I never once thought about his safety or quality of care. I’ve developed panic disorder from this journey, and I didn’t have any following this experience.
Since recovery was rough, most people could sense that he was defeated. He struggled with everything, couldn’t stand by himself, watching him, I was convinced something was wrong. Eric really gave him some gentle tough love that pushed him to put more effort into his recovery. I don’t know how he did it, but he completely changed my son around.
I kid you not; he went from not even being able to stand on his own to being discharged in a day. He was eating, walking, using stairs, sitting himself up. All these things he couldn’t do just the night before.
I’ve spent the last several years inside hospitals. My dad got sick and hospitalized for 2 weeks, my mom had lung cancer, my son had two auto transplants, my other son had a knee replacement, and my husband had abdominal surgery. All in 2.5 years. I can say with confidence, Eric has been the best nurse I’ve encountered. All the floor nurses are great. I could name several, but Eric’s a true blessing to the transplant floor, the hospital, and his patients.