During football season, Pedi Surgical was taking care of one of the overflow oncology patients. This teenager has had a rough couple of days. He had an awful reaction to his chemo, he wasn't feeling well and his entire family was very stressed. One of our nurses had a personal connection to the teenager's high school and informed the staff that he was going to miss his senior year homecoming football game. Prior to his diagnosis, he was set to be a varsity starter.
Upon hearing this, the Pedi Surgical team went above and beyond. Lindsay, RN made posters. Gina, RN got on Facebook and found someone who could make a mum in his school colors. Caroline from Child Life orchestrated everything and Dee, RN went to his high school to pick up his jersey that his coach was nice enough to lend us.
Although it was a hard day for the patient and he even got transferred to a higher level of care, the nurses on Pedi Surgical went above and beyond. A week later, his banner, mum and jersey still decorated his PICU room. After the homecoming game (that his school barely lost), one of the nurses brought in a football that each of his teammates had signed for him. It became his prized possession while he was in the hospital.
It was a very special moment, something I will never forget. I am so glad Pedi Surgical was able to put so much together with only hours' notice. Our patients might be missing out on a lot but I'm glad we can still give them pretty cool memories.