January 2023
Emorie
Harty
,
RN, BSN
Breast Clinic
Froedtert Hospital
Milwaukee
,
WI
United States
Emorie handled the situation with the perfect amount of professionalism, compassion and comfort (that may I add my family all needed)
My mother was recently diagnosed with cancer and the journey has been rocky. We were running into issues at every hospital visit and appointment. She even had two hospital stays and an emergency surgery which resulted in her cancer diagnosis. We, however, kept our heads up and pushed through. Although my mom is a pretty tough woman, her courage was beginning to wear thin. Dr. Patten placed her mediport January 5th. It went seamlessly and we had great care. However, when starting chemo the week after, the nurses had issues. At one point we had 7 people in an extremely small room, with the nurses/techs suggesting different ideas/techniques to get it to work. After three painful attempts, they finally got it working, but two days later, when her equipment was removed, another issue arose. They called my mom when halfway home (we live in Hartland), concerned about a possible infection. When she finally got home, they called again and stated they decided they wanted her to come back to have the port checked out and mentioned to her about a possible port revision due to all the issues and possible infection. My mom began crying, which is entirely out of character for her, she had reached her breaking point. The nurses who had been dealing with her at both prior visits hadn’t even noticed that Dr. Patten (not IR) had placed the port, so I was concerned information was not being communicated. Also, the steri-strip from the port insertion had not been removed, and it looked as though the iodine had seeped through and this was their concern for an infection along with some tenderness/redness from the tegaderm. Once I removed the steri-strip, it was clear there was no infection. I am a firm believer that the surgeon/provider who placed the port should be the person who troubleshoots the port issues if a revision is being discussed. Dr. Patten kindly had my mother seen in the clinic the next day by one of her nurses, Emorie. She was able to quickly access the port without any issues at all. It was clear, based on prior wounds, that it was not being punctured in the correct area. Emorie therefore marked the area and suggested for me to take pictures so that way this wouldn’t be an issue at any other appointments. I cannot commend Emorie enough. My mom was about to fall apart after the constant errors and mistakes that we had been through, but Emorie held her together. Emorie handled the situation with the perfect amount of professionalism, compassion and comfort (that may I add my family all needed). She was the first person to explain step-by-step in basic terms why she was using what, before using the needle. She is knowledgeable and thorough. She knew exactly how to problem solve the issue and didn’t hesitate. She was empathetic and knew how to perfectly communicate with my mom. Most of all, she was our advocate, we didn’t feel like we were being handed off or tossed around. Emorie is one of the best nurses I have encountered at this institution. If it weren’t for her last week, I don’t know what we would have done or where my mom would be mentally. Emorie went above and beyond an average nurse’s duty and I can’t imagine anyone else treating those in need at the Cancer Center. I hope she continues her journey and becomes one of the next leaders in healthcare.