Dawn
McAughan
June 2012
Dawn
McAughan
,
BSN, RN
Cardiovascular Intensive Care, Louis & Peaches Owen Heart Hospital
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System
Tyler
,
TX
United States
Over the past 15 years, my husband has had many hospital stays at Trinity Mother Frances. As a chronic heart patient, his health has often been serious. The nurses have always been wonderful, professional and have demonstrated true concern for him and our family. However, one nurse will forever stand out as being remarkable.
On a recent stay in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, we turned the corner and saw DAWN. When she looked up and saw us, she immediately called out our names and came over for hugs and to check on my husband. A flood of memories came over me!
Four years ago my husband spent 14 days on life support in very critical condition. He had wonderful doctors and nurses and top-notch care... but, he also had DAWN. Over all that time, with 12-hour shifts, I never saw her sit down. She was constantly monitoring him, his many tubes and medicines. Most amazing to me, she observed him so closely, that even in his drug-induced coma; she could detect the slightest change in him and would act on what she observed. In addition, when he swelled so large that it seemed impossible, she would manage to find clever ways to keep his skin from rubbing and breaking down. She was professional, compassionate, strong and positive. She would always try to make my visits (restricted at the time) meaningful for me. Encouraging me to talk with him and helping me to 'deal' by answering my questions in an informative, calm way that allowed me to feel included in his care. Her manner went so far to help me deal with the facts of the situation and to avoid the terrible pit-falls that your imagination can play on you when you sit in the Intensive Care Waiting Room. I cannot express how important she was to both of us during those dark days.
Through all these years and so many traumas, my husband has continued to grow as a husband, father, grandfather and friend. We attribute his positive attitude and continued good spirits in no small part to the attentive, kind, supportive, professional, friendly and caring nurses of Trinity Mother Frances. He says they spoil him... and they probably do a bit. But, I thank God each day for them and for their service to us and others.
On a recent stay in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, we turned the corner and saw DAWN. When she looked up and saw us, she immediately called out our names and came over for hugs and to check on my husband. A flood of memories came over me!
Four years ago my husband spent 14 days on life support in very critical condition. He had wonderful doctors and nurses and top-notch care... but, he also had DAWN. Over all that time, with 12-hour shifts, I never saw her sit down. She was constantly monitoring him, his many tubes and medicines. Most amazing to me, she observed him so closely, that even in his drug-induced coma; she could detect the slightest change in him and would act on what she observed. In addition, when he swelled so large that it seemed impossible, she would manage to find clever ways to keep his skin from rubbing and breaking down. She was professional, compassionate, strong and positive. She would always try to make my visits (restricted at the time) meaningful for me. Encouraging me to talk with him and helping me to 'deal' by answering my questions in an informative, calm way that allowed me to feel included in his care. Her manner went so far to help me deal with the facts of the situation and to avoid the terrible pit-falls that your imagination can play on you when you sit in the Intensive Care Waiting Room. I cannot express how important she was to both of us during those dark days.
Through all these years and so many traumas, my husband has continued to grow as a husband, father, grandfather and friend. We attribute his positive attitude and continued good spirits in no small part to the attentive, kind, supportive, professional, friendly and caring nurses of Trinity Mother Frances. He says they spoil him... and they probably do a bit. But, I thank God each day for them and for their service to us and others.