My husband was admitted to Baptist Health Louisville following back surgery. Margaret cared for him after surgery, and he was doing well, just waiting on some of his lab work to improve. A few days later, his pain became unbearable, along with nausea, vomiting, and decreased energy/mobility. 

The next day that Margaret was assigned to care for him, she and I were discussing how quickly things had changed and how different he was. As a nurse myself, I know the feeling of when a patient's condition changes and the determination to find the cause and ease the pain. 

Margaret fiercely advocated for my husband, brainstormed with me for possible sources, alleviated his fears, and provided care to both of us that was above and beyond what I could have imagined. She never showed irritation or annoyance with our MANY questions or calls. She was patient, encouraging and proactive while thinking outside of the box to find ways to help him. She used humor and distraction to calm him and her confidence in her skills and ability to take action allowed me to be his wife and not his nurse. 

Margaret’s diligence and advocacy led to the consulting of the right physicians and the ordering of the right tests quickly. Ultimately, he was found to have a renal infarction and a large clot on his mechanical heart valve, which required open heart surgery for a valve replacement, his second in just nine months. I know that, without a doubt, Margaret’s care and determination saved my husband’s life. There are no words that could accurately express how grateful I am for the care that Margaret and every person at Baptist Health Louisville have provided to both of us throughout this hospitalization. 

Thank you will just never be enough.