Sarah Thomas, BSN, RN

We can't put into words how very much we appreciate all of the superb care that our dad received from his physicians and nurses through his unplanned stay with you all.

Dad had the "Watchman" procedure done on a Thursday. What was supposed to be a routine procedure turned into anything but routine and became a very scary time for our family. During the correct placement of the device, a tine on the device tore one of Dad's very thin "tissue­paper" like heart tissues. Blood gathered around the heart, lowering his blood pressure. It would not rise.

Immediately, the doctor and his team provided intensive care to him and went back in to place a drain tube. Dad developed other complications after the drain tube was placed, and he was admitted into Roanoke Memorial's CCU. His blood pressure had to be raised with medicine, a breathing tube had to be placed, he had to have continuous dialysis, etc.

A chaplain was called in for our family because of his bleak prognosis on the morning of Friday. On this day, Dad and our family were placed into the care of an amazing team! However, one nurse in particular stood out for her exemplary care. Her name was Sarah Thomas. She was absolutely wonderful, and she provided superb care.

On that very shaky Friday, we were told that lots was being done for Dad, and it would take a while for us to be able to see him. Once all equipment was in place to care for Dad physically and to stabilize him, we were allowed to see him in short increments of time with only one or two family members at a time.

As soon as I walked into that room with all the machines, I was awed and overwhelmed! However, those feelings quickly subsided with the calm, soothing care Sarah administered to him. She and I immediately bonded.

When I walked in the first time, there was quiet, easy-listening music playing that kept the room very calm and peaceful! She was very sensitive to both Dad and us, and she asked if it was okay to have this playing. I told her that it could not be more perfect! My dad loved music, and it was very soothing to him and to us! We definitely wanted this playing!

Sarah worked tirelessly and diligently to continuously check and readjust all machines as Dad's body was trying to stabilize. She demonstrated thorough knowledge, and could explain what was taking place in a clear and easy to understand, while at the same time, very realistic way!

The quiet hum of the machines and her continuous moving to check on, keep records, etc. was like a dance. She explained that what she was doing was a "dance with numbers"; when one thing changed, something else had to be adjusted. She stayed on the move and made sure all his numbers were consistent and that his body was moved and turned at exactly the right times. It was definitely a medical dance that she did.

She quickly answered any questions that we had in a very easy-to-understand way, but always kept in tune with Dad's vitals. When we asked why he was on certain machines, she explained that, with the machine performing that function, his body did not have to do that job and could rest and focus on other functions. That made so much sense to us and relieved us. It took a lot of the fear away, as much as possible!

She gave Dad her total attention during his most critical hours on that Friday and was there for us at the beginning of the next week. On Friday afternoon before the shift change, I asked her about what she thought would be the next steps. She told our family and me that the goal for Dad through the night and the weekend was to "just maintain where he was for a while." She said that his body would let them know when it was ready for something to be readjusted.

Even after Sarah was assigned to other patients, she continued to keep up with and periodically check on Dad's progress! She always answered any questions we had in a very easy-to-understand but realistic way! Even when he successfully qualified for IPR at Community Hospital, she explained exactly what would take place and what we could expect!

Throughout our 12-day stay in CCU, we were totally amazed at this very knowledgeable and dedicated young lady and the entire care team! 

We could nominate others, but Sarah stood out for us! Her diligent care, commitment, and sensitivity definitely got Dad back on the right track of living right from the start, when he was so critical! She is definitely committed to being professional with total focus on the physical and emotional healing of her patients, while at the same time caring for and educating their families with clear, understandable, and realistic explanations.

These qualities are definitely award-winning! She truly fits every part of the meaning of a nurse: 

"Nursing integrates the art and science of caring and focuses on the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and human functioning; prevention of illness and injury; facilitation of healing; and alleviation of suffering through compassionate presence."

Sarah is an amazing asset to this Critical Care unit! The unit and the patients that she cares for are so very blessed to have her as their nurse! My step-mom said it best: "Sarah was a number 1 nurse!"

For her and for all of Dad's care team, we are grateful! They helped him regain quality of life!