My husband was admitted to UF Spanish Plaines Hospital to have a surgical procedure of a peritoneal catheter for dialysis. After the initial procedure it was discovered that it wasn’t working properly, so it required a revision. After the revision procedure, it still wasn’t working properly, so he needed another revision.

He was in the recovery room after that procedure, and after several hours of the post-op team watching his blood pressure drop, he coded. The team of doctors and nurses who ran in to perform CPR and insert a respirator was fantastic. They worked on him until he was stabilized enough to be brought to the ICU.

That is where I met Darby. She was truly an angel sent from heaven. She worked feverishly hooking him up to a huge number of different IV’s. His hemoglobin dropped to below 6, and she administered an emergency blood transfusion, pumping 4 liters of blood into him as fast as she could. She spent the entire night in his room, constantly monitoring all the machines he was connected to.

She spent time during the night explaining things to me and helping to keep my anxiety in check. She got me warm blankets to help me feel comfortable, and in the morning, got me a hot, fresh cup of coffee and some graham crackers.

I spent two nights in the room with her and my husband, and I can’t say enough about the care and concerns she has for her patients. She even came to visit us four times in the days after he left the ICU and was on the lower floors and the rehab.

She is truly an extraordinary nurse. God bless her every day for the blessings she brings to her patients and their families.

Thank you, Darby, from the bottom of our hearts. You are an incredible nurse.