Michelle Robinson
May 2020
Michelle
Robinson
,
RN, BSN
NICU - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Banner Del E Webb Medical Center

 

 

 

I think the best thing about Michelle was I never had to ask her for anything, she just always knew exactly what I needed, even before I did. She gave us such a safe place while our world was flipped upside down.
Having a baby in the midst of the COVID 19 pandemic was definitely not what I had planned for the birth of my last baby, but everyone in the women & infant services department was so incredible from start to finish. But I would like to take a moment to recognize a very special nurse, Michelle, from NICU.
Our little girl, S, was born and shocked everyone by being only 4 lbs 9 oz, despite being a full-term baby. Right away she was taken to the NICU as she was having a lot of trouble with her blood sugar. Michelle came into our story on day 3 or 4 and by that time I was feeling scared and defeated as not only had nothing gone the way I had planned, but my little girl was not making any progress. She had gone through three IVs that were extremely difficult to get in and my baby just had no venous access left.
S needed a PICC line, however, this made it look like she would need to be transferred to Thunderbird or Estrella since Del Webb did not have anyone to put a PICC in. Michelle knew I lived right by this hospital and that I was having a hard enough time going back and forth since I have other kids at home. Michelle got right to work to get someone to come to Del Webb to put in the line so she could stay. It was such a relief! She worked all day making sure all the supplies were ready so when someone was available, we were ready. She was also super helpful in advocating for using steroids. After S got the steroids and D15, she really turned the corner and started to make great improvements.
Michelle noticed that I was pumping and had lots of milk not being used and she was great at also advocating for the use of my milk which meant more to me than anything. All I wanted was to breastfeed my baby, but I didn't want to be too pushy as I just wanted the doctors and nurses to do what was best for my baby. But Michelle knew just how to approach it.
I think the best thing about Michelle was I never had to ask her for anything, she just always knew exactly what I needed, even before I did. I'd come in in the morning and she would right away get me holding my baby and talk to me about the plan for the day. She always made sure I had bottles and labels for pumping. She gave us such a safe place while our world was flipped upside down.
Michelle, I don't think I could ever find all the right words to thank you for all you did for us. You were a true advocate and friend and I'm not sure what I would have done without you.
Thank you again for everything.