If I’m entirely honest, I hadn’t given much thought to the care team beyond those responsible for our son’s open heart surgery; however, within seconds of seeing him for the first time following his procedure, the significance of the PICU staff became clear.

Asleep in the center of the hospital bed surrounded by a mass of machines and wires, our son was a fragile infant entirely reliant on others for the first time in his life. In place of our fun and feisty three-year-old was a vulnerable post-op patient void of independence. Despite being briefed by the physicians, we were unsure what to expect, and while he was breathing entirely on his own, it hurt not to be able to help him. Strength failed us both as we rushed to be by his side, and the experienced voices of reason and rationality were inaudible above the overwhelming.

Erika worked around us as we struggled to take in the sight of our sedated son, but rather than silently undertaking her duties, she was a confident, friendly representative in what felt frighteningly unfamiliar. Soon after the immediate shock, I began to feel a surprising sense of safety in her conduct and cadence. Upbeat yet sensitive to our situation, Erika approached her work with reassuring ease, all while effectively reading the room. When we cried, she provided comfort. During the silence, she gave us space. And by the time the sun finally set on what felt like the longest day of our lives, she had become a companion.

The following morning, we were happy to see Erika return. Her shift started with a smile from all of us, thanks to her positive presence (and unwavering patience when it came to supplying specific popsicle flavors for our son!) Nothing was ever too much trouble, and later that day, when we were relocated to another room, she gladly rearranged the space to work for us. In addition to round-the-clock care for our healing heart warrior, she realized our needs long before we articulated them. From simply providing a water refill to filling our emotional “cup” with easy conversation, Erika was continuously attentive to both our physical and mental well-being. She was the perfect balance of informative and informal, and we didn’t know we needed it in the hours following our son’s surgery. From blood draws to Bridgerton, we covered it all!

When we were assigned a new nurse on our third day in the PICU, I was deeply disappointed to say goodbye to Erika. Consistent with her warm and generous nature, however, she went out of her way to visit us, and on learning she wouldn't be working on the day of our departure, she made sure to bid farewell when her shift ended the evening prior.

A true friend to us all, Erika was so much more than a nurse— she was the reason we all left INOVA Children's with precious memories and happy, healthy hearts. While every single nurse we interacted with was wonderful, not one compared to her.

When we first learned our son would require surgery to correct his congenital heart defect, I thought the only thing that mattered was finding accomplished surgeons who could physically repair one of the most important organs in his body. Little did we realize that what mattered most was an experience that would heal all our hearts.