Valerie A Barnes-Franzen
September 2023
Valerie A
Barnes-Franzen
,
MMC
6SE
MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center
Sioux City
,
IA
United States

 

 

 

Valerie compassionately listened to my concerns, she comforted me, and extended extra effort to get me added time with my doctors to explain this to them.
I was admitted Saturday 8/19/23 with heat exhaustion and very low blood sodium levels. I was in distress and a lot of pain. I was given good care that night and the next day by several wonderful nurses. By Monday morning the 21st my sodium levels were normal, and I was ready to go home. Valerie was my nurse that morning. She was not only super competent but was supportive in an emotional way that I truly needed that morning. There was some hesitation by my doctors to release me that day even though my labs and tests were all normal. This was devastating to me as I am the primary caretaker for my 85-year-old mother who lives with me. Another upsetting factor for me was the fact that I have very thin, brittle skin, and bleed and bruise 1000x more than an average person (even though I am not on blood thinners). Both my right and left arms were severely bruised and swollen from constant blood draws. It was very painful, and I was dreading further needle sticks for blood tests that were no longer necessary because all my labs were good. Valerie compassionately listened to my concerns, she comforted me, and extended extra effort to get me added time with my doctors to explain this to them. Because of her effort, I was able to have my doctors reconsider my discharge, and they agreed I was good to go. It was a huge weight off my shoulders for my elderly mom's sake. And a huge relief that my arms would no longer be unnecessarily poked. I should say that none of the faulty blood draws (there were at least 4) were by my attending nurses. They occurred when someone from the lab came in for a blood draw. Valerie and her big compassionate heart gave me the extra support and care that I needed that day. She went above and beyond, and I hope that her extraordinary care is recognized. She has my respect and now friendship for life.