February 2010
Roxanne
Harris
,
RN
ICU
Baptist Memorial Hospital - Memphis
Memphis
,
TN
United States

 

 

 

I want to nominate Roxanne Harris, RN. She is a nurse in ICU - Unit 3.
Roxanne deserves the Daisy Award. My 29 year old son was seriously ill
with pneumonia. As the effects of ARDS became more severe, she cared
for his needs, as well as his wife and other family members. As the
doctors prepared to intubate him, Roxanne explained why it was
necessary. The intubation was difficult. My son was nasally intubated,
heavily sedated, and on the ventilator while they waited on the OR to
perform a tracheostomy, to adequately ventilate his lungs. Dr. Smith
explained that he was critically ill. He told us that 90% of the
patients don't survive. Dr. Smith instructed us to notify our family.
Roxanne continued to care for my son's medical needs, while allowing us
the time to express our love. We prayed over him. God's power began
healing my son and his body began to respond, following the trach.



We were thrilled when Roxanne could share in our joy the next morning,
as she came to work to find him without a fever. He was responsive and
was writing notes to his family and the staff. Just as Roxanne had
allowed us to visit when he was so critical, she became his advocate as
he healed. She insisted we limit our visiting while he was awake, to
allow his body to rest and recover.



Roxanne was one of many doctors and nursing staff that God used as
instruments in the healing of my son. We honor all of them. However,
Roxanne is a special Daisy to us.