Amanda was very patient with our patient. She has had sickle cell disease since she was a baby. Her symptoms are always changing, and the severity of her real pain induces vomiting. She is a resilient child who has been in a foster care/group home for many years. The trauma of being apart from her family is devastating, and she lives to overcome fear and worry daily. She is a young girl who appreciates the care she receives and desires to be involved in the plan of care.

Amanda has come closer to understanding where she comes from in this difficult journey. She called for her many times due to pain and new complications with mandated vaccines during this stay. Amanda listened to her as though she did not know her story and invested in her through her willingness to find the best options. Amanda facilitated requests for assistance from other teams when she had an infiltrated IV. She showed her the materials used so that fear would subside as they chose a smaller needle. I could sense that she felt safe and believed in her fearful state of heart. This made all the difference in this visit.

Amanda also provided games and crafts while the child life room was closed on the weekend. Amanda was compassionate and determined to minimize her pain, and she asked for help from the ED to do the IV before the ultrasound department was called to help. This is compassion and a true reach to a child who needs this promised care more than you all can know. She built trust and felt loved and safe. Thank you, CFVMC! Amanda deserves a bouquet of daisies daily!