Dear Peds Nurses - A Letter from a very thankful mom

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

Shelby Skiles' dear little 2-year old daughter, Sophie, was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma in May. This mom was so touched by the care that her daughter has received in her battle with cancer that she decided to write a letter to thank the nurses, ambulance drivers, technicians etc.

"Dear Peds Nurses, (And incredible nurse techs!)," Skiles began her Oct. 3 post on the "Sophie The Brave" Facebook page. "I see you. I sit on this couch all day long and, I see you. You try so hard to be unnoticed by me and my child. I see your face drop a little when she sees you and cries. You try so many ways to ease her fears and win her over. I see you hesitate to stick her or pull bandaids (SIC) off. You say ‘No owies' and ‘I'm sorry' more times in one day than most people say ‘thank you.'"

You put aside what's happening in your life for 12 hours straight to care for very sick and something's (SIC) dying children. You go into each room with a smile no matter what's happening in there,” she wrote. You see Sophie's name on the schedule and come to check on us even when she isn't your patient. You call the doctor, blood bank, and pharmacy as many times as necessary to get my child what she needs in a timely manner. You check on me as often as you check on her. You sit and listen to me ramble for 10 minutes even though your phone is buzzing and your to-do list is a mile long.”

For more on this story and to read the entire letter, go to Mom pens touching thank you post to daughter's nurses

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

Thanks for sharing this! I actually read it a while back when it was first posted by the Mom and forgot to share. As a peds nurse myself, especially one that works on the oncology floor frequently, this was one of the most spot on reads I've seen in all my years.

[Orion81RN]

Thank you so much for sharing! Word of advice, edit out "ambulance drivers" to EMTs and paramedics. I know many of them are understably offended by that. Other than that, thanks so much again again. We so often times feel unappreciated by families.