My nephew suffered a catastrophic, life threatening event. It is truly a miracle he is alive and many people at OSF are responsible. There are many people we would like to thank and some nurses that we are nominating for the DAISY Award.

My nephew suffered a saddle pulmonary embolism. Thankfully, he arrested while in the MICU with a nurse at his bedside. He underwent 27 minutes of CPR, was put in a hypothermic coma, received six units of blood for abdominal bleeding, spent 10 days on a ventilator and several weeks in rehab. He is now at home completely cognizant continuing physical therapy for difficulty ambulating which is now his only deficit.

Ryan was his night nurse the first weekend my nephew spent in ICU. Ryan was also involved in his code. Ryan managed the many drips he was on for his blood pressure during the hypothermic coma. Ryan also managed his rewarming after 23 hours. After he was rewarmed, Ryan thought his abdomen was slightly firmer. Ryan alerted the residents who gave Ryan's observation their full attention. Even though the residents did not perceive a difference in his abdomen, they acted on Ryan's cue. He was sent to CAT scan with all his drips, ventilator, and EEG monitor. The CAT scan showed bleeding in his abdomen due to the anticoagulants he was on. He then received six units of blood.

Ryan's astute observation may have saved my nephew's life. We are so fortunate to have had nurses like Ryan involved in his care. He was an extremely healthy 43 year old when he suffered the pulmonary embolism. It is only by the grace of God and extremely competent nurses like Ryan that he is alive today.