You probably won’t remember us. To you, it was just a normal day of work. Taking vitals, communicating to parents, and doing all the necessary paperwork and checklist items that are part of being a nurse, staff member or doctor.
But to us, it was the day I was anxious about for weeks. It was the day where my 4 year-old son would have to go under anesthesia. And although I knew his procedure was minor, I still woke up with a pit in my stomach and a desire to cancel it immediately.
And somehow, with dozens of other patients around, you made us feel like we were the most important people in the world. You talked to us like there was no time limit, no other place you needed to be. You put a ID badge of Honeybear, my son’s favorite stuffed animal, so he would feel less scared. You found blue band-aids because that’s his favorite color.
With each and every one of you that came into our room, we found comfort.
It takes a special person to work with children. It takes a VERY special person to work with their parents. Their scared, nervous and terrified parents.
So thank you to the nurses, doctors and staff of Omaha’s Children’s Hospital. You made a scary day one that went with ease. You provided comfort when I didn’t think that would ever be possible.
You did however tell my kid that there’s a Tube Fairy so you owe me a few bucks for that one, but we’ll call it even. Peace of mind and amazing kindness is worth all the money in the world…
Thank you.
