I started to go to wound care for a "huge" (approximately 4 by 6 millimeters) wound between my little toe and the one next to it. I have no idea how I obtained this wound and because of its location, it is extremely hard to view. After going on for 5 months, this very small wound and the situation had magnified into a "real pain in the toe". However, through it all, I had the wonderful opportunity to be treated by Jamie Corbeille in wound care and have gotten to know her very well.

I believe there is not a more wonderful nurse at Kaiser. With that said, I have had the "opportunity" to have many nurses care for me in my 77 years on this planet. All of them were good, very good, but Jamie is outstanding. The first thing you notice about her when she enters a room is her smile, as big as the room itself. Psychologically, this is an admirable asset as it sets the stage for the visit. Second is her professionalism in evaluating and then treating the wound. Third is her personal follow-up.
In my particular case of neuropathy, diabetes, and wound location contributed to the extremely slow, basically non-existent healing of a small wound I have no idea how I got. My assumption is that a pebble of some sort got lodged between the toes. Jamie was as perplexed as to why such a small wound was going nowhere in terms of healing. She tried multiple dressings and surface medication to little avail. Finally, in conversation, it came up that I had once seen a doctor and the Vascular department for an evaluation of blood flow in my lower extremities. She encouraged me to see him again, and I did in April. The visit was uneventful. He gave me some medication and said to watch the progress of the wound treatment.

I think the doctor is wonderful, but something got lost in the translation of what he saw from my test results and the continued lack of progress in wound healing. Jamie, during this time and throughout our time together, monitored the information from the doctor and felt it deserved a second thought. This is where my lack of medical knowledge inhibits my ability to translate what Jamie knew from the ultrasound results, what the doctor did, and her intimate knowledge of my situation. However, with her suggestion to the doctor, he did a retake of my situation. The bottom line was to schedule an angiogram, which happened in May. This procedure was not successful due in part to extreme calcification in the artery, preventing the doctor from inserting a balloon or stent to open up the blood flow.

I had a second angiogram in July. After almost 4 hours, they were successful in clearing the blockage in my leg. There is no doubt this wound would still be in “Never Neverland” in terms of healing, without Jamie's involvement from a medical perspective, to convince the doctor to take a second look. Then the expertise of the doctors made it happen, and now the wound has finally healed!

Thank you so very, very much Jamie! Every visit with you exemplifies what nursing is all about, which is compassion extraordinary service sincere caring and commitment to healing you are truly outstanding.

Note: This is Jamie's 3rd DAISY Award!