As a child, I was raised to appreciate all professions. Whether they are in the medical field, education or serving our country in some way, these men and women make sacrifices each day for the benefit of others. Last week, Senator Maureen Walsh criticized nurses and accused them of playing cards during their shifts. When I heard this comment, it brought forth a lot of emotions. While I do not work in the medical field, and this comment was not directed at me, I wanted to share a personal story and why this comment makes me angry.
Four years ago, I was in the hospital delivering our daughter Felicity, who had passed due to Turners Syndrome. An experience no parent should have to go through. From the moment I entered the hospital and my nurses were informed of my situation, I was met with the utmost kindness, love and gentle care I can remember receiving in my entire life. While delivering our daughter, I had one nurse holding my hand, one nurse on each side of me holding a blanket up, so we did not have to view the delivery, and three other nurses on the sidelines praying over me and offering comforting words as I went through the hardest event in my life. After delivering our daughter, I had a nurse go down to the kitchen to get food for me directly, because she did not want me to have to wait to eat. When we were moved to a recovery room, we had nurses setting up a bed for my exhausted husband. They were bringing him as many pillows and blankets as he wanted and making sure he had gotten something to eat as well. I had nurses dealing with insurance for me, because that was the last thing I should have to worry about during that time. (Later we found out, they had made sure anything that could be written off was not put on our bill.) As one nurse said, “no parent should have to pay for the delivery of the baby they don’t get to bring home.” When my milk came in and it hit me, I would never get to feed my daughter, one nurse held me as I cried. At the end of their shift, the three nurses who had been by my side from the beginning, presented me with a memory box they had made for my husband and I. In it was a handmade scrapbook with our daughter’s name on it. They had each taken turns during their short break to add pictures of her hands and feet, poems and prayers to remember her by. These nurses gave us a pink knitted hat and wrap that was just the size of her little body. They wanted us to know, that they would remember our daughter. That her memory was preserved for us. While my husband left to make funeral arrangements the next day, a nurse stayed by my side so I wouldn’t have to be alone. Before they left for home, each nurse came in and hugged me and said a prayer for my family.
These nurses made the worst experience of my life bearable. Their love, support, gentle care and prayers got me through those two days in the hospital. Those nurses sent me a card on the one year anniversary of Felicity’s passing. They let me know they still remembered our sweet girl and we were always on their mind. I tell you this story, because these women deserve recognition for the sacrifices they made. They brought comfort to our family during a difficult time. They spent their very short break making us keepsakes. Not once did I see these nurses “playing cards” or sitting down. The Senator should be ashamed of the careless words she spoke the other day. I will always remember the women who held me up in the my darkest day. These complete strangers showed me more love and care than some people I have known my entire life. To these women, I thank you for your kindness, your hard work and your passion for your job. Your faces are ingrained in my mind forever, and I will always remember your selflessness! You went beyond the normal job of nurse. I could not have asked for a better godsend then these women. You are appreciated!
Love and blessings,
Molly
Adventures of a Rainbow Baby 