I was a patient at Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center, had extensive oral surgery for cancer and spent 4 days in the ICU. During that time, I had complications including a very frightening episode when my tracheostomy tube was completely plugged by a mucous plug. I was transferred to 11S on a Monday afternoon, feeling angry about everything that happened, sleep deprived, irritable and generally feeling very sorry for myself. My family was with me when we arrived on 11S and they were probably just as irritated as I was. That is, until we met Andy. He was there to meet us just as we arrived and presented a calming, personal, friendly and caring demeanor. Andy injected humor and a lightness to the whole situation. My mood instantly changed 180 degrees. Andy had a confidence when talking about the tracheostomy and I knew he had a great deal of experience with this. He stated "I know what you went through and that had to be the most frightening thing that ever happened to you". Andy validated my feelings. Just with that statement, I felt like a human being again.
Andy told me that I was close to the nurse's station and that a nurse would be answering my call light right away. I now felt safe.
What a difference this young man made for both myself and my family. I know that Andy has not been an RN for very long but he, even now, has the qualities of an extraordinary one. I am so thankful that Andy was my nurse on that day.