January 2024
Rhonda
Massa
,
RN
NICU
UPMC Hamot
Erie
,
PA
United States
Rhonda made me laugh when I desperately needed it and was there unconditionally, with so much support and worry in her actions and words. It meant the world to me.
I was in the nesting room and the dad had run out to finish cleaning the NICU housing, and I was so anxious. I had laid down and couldn’t sleep because of how anxious I was…I was honestly scared and terrified because I was worried I wasn’t doing enough, or I wasn’t doing something properly, or that I wasn’t prepared enough yet. Rhonda had knocked on the door, bless her heart; I hadn’t called her, but I had needed the warmth and reassurance she gave. She broke down my anxious worries one by one and helped me simplify my worries and taught me how to take care of the circ, the round booger sucker (also for spit-ups), and gave me the biggest hug. And to be honest, I needed that hug.
She had told me, “It’s okay to cry. It’s actually incredibly healthy to do so! Us women need to cry, and honestly, if guys did so more often, I think they’d be a lot more agreeable and happy.” She made me laugh when I desperately needed it and was there unconditionally, with so much support and worry in her actions and words. It meant the world to me. Her actions, which may seem small to others, came from such a warm heart and helped me immensely, and she did so unconditionally and unprompted. She felt like both a mom that I needed when I was at my most anxious and almost like a guardian angel who I could rely on if I felt lost. She reminded me that a warm, full tummy, unconditional love, and good sleep are the most important things right now for him to grow up healthy. Of course, there’s more, but those words were honestly a soul soother, and for that, I am incredibly grateful. Everyone here at Hamot helped me feel at home in one way or another, and I love and appreciate the doctors and nurses who have helped me and my family.
You are appreciated, and we are so grateful for the support we have felt while here.
Thank you, Rhonda, for keeping me sane and telling me I’m doing okay and that it’s perfectly normal to be scared and anxious beyond belief. You made me feel safe and like I could do it now.
Thank you isn’t enough!
Note: This is Rhonda's 2nd DAISY Award!
She had told me, “It’s okay to cry. It’s actually incredibly healthy to do so! Us women need to cry, and honestly, if guys did so more often, I think they’d be a lot more agreeable and happy.” She made me laugh when I desperately needed it and was there unconditionally, with so much support and worry in her actions and words. It meant the world to me. Her actions, which may seem small to others, came from such a warm heart and helped me immensely, and she did so unconditionally and unprompted. She felt like both a mom that I needed when I was at my most anxious and almost like a guardian angel who I could rely on if I felt lost. She reminded me that a warm, full tummy, unconditional love, and good sleep are the most important things right now for him to grow up healthy. Of course, there’s more, but those words were honestly a soul soother, and for that, I am incredibly grateful. Everyone here at Hamot helped me feel at home in one way or another, and I love and appreciate the doctors and nurses who have helped me and my family.
You are appreciated, and we are so grateful for the support we have felt while here.
Thank you, Rhonda, for keeping me sane and telling me I’m doing okay and that it’s perfectly normal to be scared and anxious beyond belief. You made me feel safe and like I could do it now.
Thank you isn’t enough!
Note: This is Rhonda's 2nd DAISY Award!