Forever grateful that Carrie was able to change how Blake approaches medical care
On 7/24/24, my daughter Blake had to have a quick surgical procedure at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Blake is a twin that was born 6 weeks early, spent 29 days in the NICU, and has had multiple health issues since birth, and due to everything she has been through, she does NOT do well at medical facilities. However, on a day when I thought it would be one melt down after the next from having to go to the hospital on top of being NPO for her procedure, Blake breezed through the day like it was any other day. And it was all because of a nurse, known in our home now as New Carrie (Blake has an Aunt Kari).
Carrie started with a warm welcome and related to Blake because of a penguin sticker Carrie was wearing. Then she needed a weight and vital signs, and Carrie allowed me to help Blake do all of these things while ensuring we were doing them correctly for an accurate result. She constantly explained what she was doing, why she was doing it, and let Blake acknowledge this prior to even touching Blake. She even made sure Blake's Bronson Bear had a name band on as well. Carrie then proceeded to ensure Blake had things to keep her occupied. Blake kept circling the halls over and over again in a toy car meant to be pushed by someone, but Blake insisted on figuring out a way to use her feet and move around the halls was her favorite. Each time we passed Carrie, she talked to Blake and gave words of encouragement or asked about the Mickey Mouse on the wall that also helped preoccupy Blake during our wait. Carrie then worked with anesthesia when it came time to consult with them and they found us in the halls. They walked and talked with us so she could stay on the move while we discussed the anesthesia plan. And as the time approached for Blake to go back to the surgery room, Carrie made sure she was there as a familiar face to ease the transition from mom and dad.
Surgery/procedures are always a stressful time for parents, but with Blake, we always worry because she is a strong, vocal (lots of screaming) fighter who makes sure everyone knows she is not happy. But, this time, I left my child to the surgical team feeling relief, gratitude, and tears of joy because New Carrie made sure she met Blake and her parents mental, emotional, and medical needs right where we needed her to. For this, I will be forever grateful. It has been a few weeks since the procedure and Blake has had other appointments and has said "do it like New Carrie" and these appointments have gone so much better than they have in the past.
New Carrie Crippen, RN, THANK YOU! Our family is forever grateful for your nursing care and helping to change how Blake approaches medical care.
