June 2018
Susan
Moore
,
RN
Critical Care
University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center
Glen Burnie
,
MD
United States

 

 

 

My mother had a massive stroke. Her condition was grave and I was told by the ER team prior to them taking her into surgery that most people do not bounce back from the type of stroke that she had undergone. All I could do was cry. My lack of knowledge regarding strokes just intensified my fears.
Thankfully my mother pulled through the surgery. However, she was still very touch and go. Dealing with her illness, her responsibilities, along with my own, had me in a very dark place. And then Susan walked into my life. When I walked into the room, she was sitting at the computer, with her white nurse hat and dress. Her eyes were warm and her voice was soothing. She immediately introduced herself and began telling my brother and me how my mother did overnight, and how she was progressing thus far that day.
Susan was compassionate, kind and passionate. Her calming spirit and knowledge of her chart and the type of stroke that she suffered, gave us the strength we needed to make it through. It was a difficult time for my family, but it put our minds at rest knowing that our mother was in such capable and caring hands. As the baby of my family and only girl, my mother and I are extremely close. Seeing my mother unable to talk to me, walk with me, or even swallow tore my heart to pieces. But Susan would not allow me to get down or give up hope. She sat beside me and told me to be faithful and be strong. She started out as a complete stranger but turned out to be a complete Angel. She was the mother I needed when mine couldn't be there in the capacity I needed. In that moment, she was everything to me.
Sitting in a hospital all day, you get a glimpse of how people work and how they interact with the patients as well as the families. In those moments as the hours passed away, it became clear to me that nursing is so much more than just a profession for Susan. It takes a special person to focus on the care of individuals, as well as the families. It takes a special person to work hard with the patients and families, so they may attain, maintain, or recover to an optimal health and quality of life.
When you or your loved ones are faced with the tragedy of having to be in the hospital, it is a blessing to be cared for by someone who actually cares. Susan was/is that special someone and we are forever grateful.