Kerry Byers
July 2017
Kerry
Byers
,
RN
CCU
Spartanburg Medical Center
Spartanburg
,
SC
United States

 

 

 

My father suffered a massive heart attack while on vacation with my mother in North Carolina. He was flown to Spartanburg Regional where he was cared for in the CCU for 3 days. The 2 nights he spent in the unit, I stayed by his side as much as I could. For those 2 nights he had a nurse who ended up touching my family's life forever, especially mine. One of the worst moments in my life was occurring and I was so afraid as I was losing my father. Kerry was there when I cried that first night, not knowing if my dad would wake up. She comforted me the best she could, hugging me, talking with me to keep me at ease, while always asking me if I needed anything. The second day my family and I received a poor prognosis for my dad; I had barely slept and was very angry that there was nothing that could be done for my father. I asked to speak with the doctor during change of shift, which Kerry so kindly set up for my mother and me. Kerry stayed for our meeting with the doctor, comforting us the best she could, despite seeing that I was angry and frustrated. I stayed the second night with my father, his last night, and I did not want to leave his side, as I did not want him to be alone. Kerry let me stay at his bedside and hold his hand the entire night, as she tried to make me comfortable the best she could under these circumstances. As my dad's blood pressure fell, she did what she could to keep my dad stable until the rest of my family could be at his bedside. In the early morning hours, I asked Kerry if we could clean up my dad's disheveled hair. Without hesitation, she went and got the supplies to do so. The nurse and I cleaned up my father before my family arrived. Seeing him cleaned up put a smile on my mother's face when she walked in. This act touched my family, as it had my father looking a bit more like himself, considering the situation he was in. Later that day I lost my father due to complications from the heart attack. It was the care and compassion given to both my father and our family that shows Kerry Byers is truly a genuine nurse with a caring heart.