My husband landed at North Memorial Hospital after a work accident that amputated 4 fingers on his right hand. They did a free flap to cover the injury. The free flap was not having good blood flow, still 36 hours after surgery. We were told that if the flap failed, my husband would have to go back into surgery for a groin flap. Thanks to Sadie, she suggested that the doctor try leech therapy. It was a last effort to try to save the free flap and avoid another long procedure.

Because of the leeches, the free flap survived! Sadie is the reason my husband didn't have to have multiple procedures and was able to get home to our kids as quickly as he did. Sadie will always be remembered by our family for being the nurse who saved the free flap. Sadie is such a smart and compassionate nurse who gave my husband not only exceptional care but also sat beside him for many hours of leech therapy. Sadie was with us for not only the good news but the bad news, too. She always gave us reassurance that things would be okay and was amazing at bringing a good sense of humor to help us laugh our way through the hard times. We owe Sadie so much more than a thank you; in our eyes, Sadie is a true hero who used her experience and knowledge to ensure my husband had the best chance possible to save the free flap.