October 2018
Tammie
Hilliard
,
RN
Outpatient Infusion
Memorial Hospital - University of Colorado Health
Colorado Springs
,
CO
United States

 

 

 

Tammie went above and beyond. I go to the infusion clinic every few weeks for IVIG. At one point I suffered a major tragedy, with the death of a child. I had not told a single person outside of my immediate family. During one of my infusions, Tammie noticed I was not myself, withdrawn, quiet and just not quite right. Tammie asked me what was going on, if I felt ok, was I sick, etc. I had told her I was fine, which she didn't believe for a second. She asked me again because she knew something was off. I told her what happened and she immediately started to cry with me. We talked for a bit and then I went home. I hadn't been at work for a few weeks, so they decided to call to check on me. I was in a very dark place, and they knew it. They called me a few times throughout the week to check on me. I ended up getting very ill, which with my diagnosis could cause death. The infusion team convinced me to go to the ER. I refused to let anyone access my port except the ladies at the infusion clinic, so I was wheeled down there to get accessed. I was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia, septic pneumonia. Tammie came to visit me, cheered me up, laughed with me, cried with me and just sat with me, several times during my stay.
Over the years, the ladies at the infusion clinic have become like family to me. Without Tammie's instincts, I'm not certain that I would be here today, as my illness would have taken over. With her words of encouragement at every infusion from that point on, I pulled myself up, went to all my infusions and got myself back on track. I am not just another appointment; I am a person. I see the way they treat everyone, no matter what brings them to the clinic. They treat everyone like family. They dance around, sing, and make everyone feel welcome. The whole clinic makes everyone feel welcome. I want to thank and recognize Tammie for going above and beyond, for being there if I needed a shoulder to cry on, or just listen. Tammie didn't have to keep asking me what was wrong, but she did. And I will remember that day, the day she took the time to help me. I love you. I actually love the whole clinic, and I would not trade them for the world. Thank you all!