Tampa General ICU nurses - THANK YOU

[cdmccarthy]

I've been debating for a while on whether to post this, but I think if I was on the receiving end of this I would want to hear it.

My mother had cardiothoracic surgery in July of this year and was expected to have a 1-night stay in the trauma ICU and then a 3 or 4 day recovery in a step-down unit. Long story short, that isn't what happened. She ended up in a coma with multi-system organ failure with no obvious cause. It got to the point where the family had a meeting with her attending physician where he told us that things were not looking good and that we should consider withdrawing care in the next 48 hours.

She began receiving dialysis during these 48 hours and made (what several doctors called) a miraculous recovery. She came out of the coma, her cardiac function improved, and the rest of her organs followed suit. Despite her 30+ days spent in the ICU, she has no related medical problems to speak of.

During her time in the ICU, the nurses were amazing with her and with us. She received incredible care and the nurses were super attentive and always willing to answer the family's never-ending questions. I don't think I could ever thank you guys enough for the care you provided and the compassion you showed. She would not be here if it weren't for you. I would have lost my mother if it weren't for you. So thank you. Thank you thank you thank you.

I was inspired to begin my own nursing career during the time I spent in the ICU with my mom. I already have a biology degree, but I'm finishing up a couple pre-reqs now and applying for a nursing program next year. You guys did that. You changed my mom's life and you changed my life. I hope someday I will become the kind of nurse that you all were.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

What a terrific story. Thank you for sharing with us.

Please be sure to write a letter to the hospital CEO & Nurse Executive as well. Heck, write a letter to the Editor of your local paper!! Include the names of any staff who you want to specially acknowledge. Nurses' contributions seldom receive any public recognition.