It has taken me six months to write this letter, and I hope it is not too late to recognize several individuals. I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for the incredible care and expertise you provided during my recent delivery.

I have seen many faces through the years on the Maternity ward, as this was my sixth child that I have delivered at Pen Bay. I have always received incredible care, but this time, it was different due to complications that arose after the birth of my baby in the PACU. Heather's quick thinking, unwavering calm, and skilled interventions undoubtedly saved my life. I was in PACU for a short time when Heather realized that I was starting to hemorrhage. She quickly got the doctor back to my bedside and stayed near me while also managing care for my newborn daughter, making sure I was able to get a few minutes of skin-to-skin with her, as well as advocating for me to be able to give my daughter donor milk if needed while I was in the operating room. There were many people in and out of the small space, rushing around, but she made sure to explain everything to me and ensure I knew what was happening. She reassured me and my husband that she would be with him and the baby until I returned from the OR. After spending several hours in the OR, I woke in an ICU room with a picture hanging in front of me - my daughter's footprints and her name - after experiencing a postpartum hemorrhage with shock that resulted in a hysterectomy. Heather came through the door shortly after I had woken with my baby and husband. I was relieved to see all three of them.

Heather went above and beyond to coordinate a plan with the other staff members and departments to allow my baby to stay in the ICU room with me instead of being separated. She spent countless hours helping hand express my colostrum to feed my baby when I was too weak, as she knew how important that was to me. When I started to push to get out of the ICU and back to the maternity ward, she helped me set a few small goals and understand the steps that needed to take place so I could get back there safely. Heather remained consistent with my care while I was on the maternity floor for 5 days.

There were many moving parts to my recovery this time, and she helped me navigate the challenges I experienced, serving as my cheerleader and encouraging me through the rapid changes I underwent. I will never forget the feeling of vulnerability and fear I experienced in those moments of the unknown, but Heather and the other staff's presence was a beacon of hope. Her gentle reassurance and constant attention to my needs allowed me to navigate through a very difficult situation with a sense of trust and security.

Heather, you are more than just a nurse; you are a true lifesaver. Thank you for your dedication, compassion, and the exceptional care you provided during such a critical time. Thank you for advocating for me and our daughter, for providing support to my husband when he was sent back to the OB ward with his tiny newborn, not knowing what the outcome would be. You supported him and kept him updated on everything that was going on with me, and for that, we are both grateful that you could bring him some peace of mind, allowing him to focus on our daughter. While I truly believe Heather's attention to detail and her level of skills are what got the ball rolling to have a positive outcome for an experience that could have gone the other way.