August 2013
Amanda
Frye
,
RN
med/surg
Bethesda North Hospital
Cincinnati
,
OH
United States

 

 

 

During my mom's three and a half week hospitalization at B North, we were lucky to have had Amanda as my mom's nurse both in the ICU unit and on the floor. In the ICU my mom was at rock bottom - suffering from a terrible UTI infection and immense back pain from being bedridden for 2 weeks. Both my husband and brother had spent nights sleeping in my mom's room to be sure she was ok at night. However, under Amanda's care, this no longer proved to be necessary as we were so relieved knowing that Amanda was her nurse.

Amanda was always willing to take the time to take an honest interest in how my mom was feeling and to listen to her concerns. Amanda showed great compassion and empathy for my mother's situation and addressed her every need. Not once did she ever make my mom feel as though she was being bothersome. In the TCU my mom had to undergo a battery of tests - EEG's, CAT scans, MRIs, etc. Amanda was patient and explained all procedures. She was always cheerful during this difficult week in TCU. Amanda kept my mom in good spirits and shared many personal experiences with her own sons, which brightened mom's day and gave her the desire to persevere through the pain and fear to strengthen her will to see her own grandchildren again.

After mom transferred to the regular floor, we were pleased to have Amanda as her nurse once again. When they saw each other in the new wing, it was as if an old friendship had been rekindled. We trusted Amanda completely as mom's nurse - she would find answers to all our questions and always had a friendly and positive disposition.

I remember Amanda telling my mom she would be off a few days and would be back on Friday. She told my mom, "I'll be back on Friday, but I hope I don't see you." As it would be, my mom was discharged to a nursing facility on Thursday! Although we were glad to leave the hospital we both felt a bit of sadness in not saying a personal goodbye. We will both never forget her kindness, compassion, and positive energy.