There is nothing scarier than being in the PICU, regardless of the reason. Our daughter was in an accident on her electric bike, and our holiday quickly took a horrific turn.

The EMTs brought her to St. Vincent, and at the time, I could not understand why we were heading so far away from our home in Fishers. God answered this question by lending his healing hand to Dr. Smith. In a time of worry and panic, she greeted us with strength and confidence. It seemed that anyone we mentioned her name to knew her and her ability to work true miracles. They assured us we were in good hands.

Making it through the first surgery was step one. Dr. Smith explained the procedure, answered all of our questions, and spent the time our panicked hearts needed to ease a degree of worry.

Our 20-day stay included 15 days in the PICU. During this time, we met so many truly incredible people, and I wish I could remember each and every one of their names. To be able to take care of children in such a terrible state, not knowing the outcome, takes a truly special person. Regardless of how many alarms were going off in the room, they kept their calm and helped us keep ours to a manageable degree.

There was someone in our daughter's room at all times; we were not going to leave her alone, ever. She needed to know we were there and everyone was accepting and accommodating to all of us, not just their patient. Not once did someone leave the room without asking if they could get us anything or if we needed anything.

20 days....the staff became like friends or family.

Dakota Allison was there for day 1, and she was there for day 8 when she was extubated and then again for day 13 when she was able to walk again for the first time and was there for day 15, our final day in the PICU, when the bone flap was replaced. She was part of our journey, part of our story. She not only helped our daughter,  but she also helped us. She bonded with her. She played Drake for her when she needed that "normal" to comfort her, and she brought her favorite yogurt when she ran out. It's the little things that mean the most. She was hard to say goodbye to, even though goodbye was the most positive word we could say in her recovery.

We know our daughter's favorite yogurt because Aria came in on her day off to bring a (upgraded) brush and yogurt to help her take her medications. Cotton candy flavor for the win! Another little thing that made such a big difference. And the brush. After her surgery, her hair was full of all the bad stuff from the accident, with no way to wash it out. We did our best by bringing in detangler and a brush that we were too scared to use with her bone flap removed. Cassie spent 45 minutes working on cleaning and brushing, all while being gentle and protecting her. Another little thing making a big difference, seeing our beautiful girl with a beautiful braid.

There was Joy that would pop in to assist when needed. She was the one who got the feeding tube in place after several horrible experiences. She brought joy when Joy was needed!

We were blessed early on with Alisa Bowman and Johnna, and they helped us throughout our journey. They had the right kind of positive banter that helped ease the situation. They shared details of their own personal lives, letting us know we were important to them, and we could relate. They developed a relationship with my parents, not just my daughter and me. Alisa made headbands for her. No 12-year-old accepts a shaved head with grace, and this act of kindness brought comfort when it was needed most. She even met us once out of the hospital with handmade bracelets representing strength through her journey. Alisa was truly an angel to us and someone we will forever consider a friend.

I wish I could mention each and every person we interacted with. Everyone was instrumental in her recovery, and we thank everyone in the PICU from the very bottom of our hearts.

Obviously, there's what the doctors and nurses are trained to do, and they did it so well, but it was the little things, the personal things, that went well beyond what anyone was paid to do. It's what kept us going, brought our entire family hope, and they saved our baby girl!