I don't know where to begin. I am a resident in Emergency Medicine at UVA and recently had an emergency c-section due to severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. Despite the fear and struggle, my husband and I are so grateful to have welcomed our baby boy, W. I cannot even imagine what the whole experience would have been like without Heather Stephenson. I had been unable to see my son for the first 48 hours because of a magnesium drop, and when I was finally coherent enough to go, she went above and beyond to help me see my son.
Heather brought me down on multiple occasions when my husband was too tired to speak. She sat with me while I cried. She was encouraging and careful and perpetually thoughtful. She thought of things I needed and intervened before I was even aware. She was kind to my family. She was just unbelievably wonderful. Moreover, she followed me to my postpartum room and continued to care for me.
I will never forget her. The joys of those first few days were hard won, and they would not have when what they were without her. Forever yours and forever grateful.