My dad is my person. He is the first person in my contact list in my cell phone, the first person I call when my “check engine” light comes on in my car, when I need advice on parenting my children, how to file my tax return, or how to make homemade gravy (his is the best). In my lifetime, I have never seen my dad sick, injured, or hospitalized. Beginning in December of 2017, my father began experiencing shortness of breath and chest pain, which was discovered to be a pneumothorax and the beginning of a life-altering experience for him and my family.

Following a VAS procedure, my dad struggled to recover and improve. His oxygen needs continued to increase, and he subsequently developed a PE. He was transferred to the ICU where his primary nurse informed me of the change in status and a new direction for his plan of care. Concerned that he was newly started on IV blood pressure support, the nurse quickly retrieved the Intensivist who appeared at the bedside immediately and explained the plan of care to my mother and I, trying to keep us calm. The nurse worked tirelessly, managing his levophed and arranging for diagnostic tests to be completed, notably a risky CT angiogram that she accompanied him to. Following that test, it was discovered that my dad had multiple PE, one that entirely occluding the left pulmonary artery. The Intensivist and nurse worked to transfer my dad to a higher level of care at a tertiary hospital, but there were no available beds, and the decision was made to keep my dad in the ICU managed by this highly skilled critical care team. He subsequently was intubated, transported to testing areas, including interventional radiology, always accompanied by members of the nursing and respiratory team. Another Intensivist placed central and arterial lines and chest tubes into my dad. Although all medical interventions were utilized, my mom and I were prepared for a grim result due to his poor oxygenation and the occlusion of the left pulmonary artery. The ICU team continued to provide expert care, keeping us updated and working beyond the end of their shifts. Because of their dedicated expert care, my dad remained in the ICU for three days before a bed became available at a tertiary care hospital.

While many of the details of my dad’s stay in the ICU are a blur, the moments I remember are the moments where the staff collaborated and worked together as a team to provide exemplary care to my dad and compassion to my family, no matter how small the gesture. The team in the ICU embodies the mission, vision, and values of the organization, striving to provide the right care to every patient, every time. Each care team member demonstrates the values of compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence, supporting the miraculous outcome of my dad’s story. My family is eternally grateful to the ICU care team and their steadfast devotion to optimal patient care and outcomes. You are second to none!