Meradith M Gutermuth
April 2024
Meradith M
Gutermuth
,
BSN, RN
Antepartum
Barnes-Jewish Hosptial / BJC Healthcare
St Louis
,
MO
United States
On the days when I did cry, she would sit with me and try to meet me where I was, which I appreciated.
I was admitted to the Antepartum unit for severe preeclampsia at 26 weeks pregnant. I was terrified, as this was my first pregnancy, and I hadn’t dealt with high blood pressure before this. It all happened so quickly. I was told I would be staying until I reached 34 weeks, which was as far as they would let me go before I could safely have my baby.
While I was here, I happened to have Meradith as my nurse quite frequently. As my world was turning upside down, Meradith gave me something to look forward to every day. She truly made me feel so much better when all I wanted to do was cry. On the days when I did cry, she would sit with me and try to meet me where I was, which I appreciated. She always knew what to say and what I needed to hear.
One of the things I looked forward to most was her updates on her life outside of work. She was doing a lifestyle challenge called 75 Hard, and I loved hearing about it! One part of this challenge was reading a book, and she would take the time to tell me about the 10 pages she had to read daily. It led to so many great conversations and gave me something consistent in such an uncertain time.
We also learned that we both love the same artist, Megan Trainer. While I was in the hospital, Meredith was going to a concert. I was so excited for her. We talked about it many times before the day finally came! I couldn’t wait to see her after so we could talk about how much fun she had. Meradith doesn’t know that what she did when she came back made me cry. Before the concert, I told Meradith about my favorite part of the concert that I had seen online. When she came back to work, she immediately pulled out her phone and showed me a video of my favorite song and part of the show. She recorded it just for me, her patient. The photos and that video from the concert were so meaningful that she thought of me while she was out having a good time with her friend. I will never forget how she made me feel at that moment.
Meradith is a genuinely beautiful soul, and I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to meet her- regardless of the circumstances. She truly cares about her patients and ensured I was always cared for even if I wasn’t her patient on the day.
Meradith, thank you for what you do. You have no idea how grateful I am for getting to know you. You made me feel like a person, not a patient. You reassured me when I needed it, and you were angry when I was angry. You are definitely doing what you were meant to do. Thank you!
While I was here, I happened to have Meradith as my nurse quite frequently. As my world was turning upside down, Meradith gave me something to look forward to every day. She truly made me feel so much better when all I wanted to do was cry. On the days when I did cry, she would sit with me and try to meet me where I was, which I appreciated. She always knew what to say and what I needed to hear.
One of the things I looked forward to most was her updates on her life outside of work. She was doing a lifestyle challenge called 75 Hard, and I loved hearing about it! One part of this challenge was reading a book, and she would take the time to tell me about the 10 pages she had to read daily. It led to so many great conversations and gave me something consistent in such an uncertain time.
We also learned that we both love the same artist, Megan Trainer. While I was in the hospital, Meredith was going to a concert. I was so excited for her. We talked about it many times before the day finally came! I couldn’t wait to see her after so we could talk about how much fun she had. Meradith doesn’t know that what she did when she came back made me cry. Before the concert, I told Meradith about my favorite part of the concert that I had seen online. When she came back to work, she immediately pulled out her phone and showed me a video of my favorite song and part of the show. She recorded it just for me, her patient. The photos and that video from the concert were so meaningful that she thought of me while she was out having a good time with her friend. I will never forget how she made me feel at that moment.
Meradith is a genuinely beautiful soul, and I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to meet her- regardless of the circumstances. She truly cares about her patients and ensured I was always cared for even if I wasn’t her patient on the day.
Meradith, thank you for what you do. You have no idea how grateful I am for getting to know you. You made me feel like a person, not a patient. You reassured me when I needed it, and you were angry when I was angry. You are definitely doing what you were meant to do. Thank you!