Team Daisy Award
Congratulations to East 8 Nurses
(DAISY Team Award recipients seated from left to right:
Sarah Soon, RN, BSN, Gary Gibson, RN, BSN, MPH, Stephanie Thornton, RN, BSN, CMSRN, and Valerie Esty, RN, MSN celebrating with East 8 colleagues.
Not pictured DAISY Team Award recipient Paige Ver Steeg RN, MSN.)
DAISY Team Award
East 8 Sunshine Award
Valerie Esty, RN was caring for a young woman who will be called “Mary”, she was in the final stages of her battle with metastatic uterine cancer. Mary came into the hospital with increased short ness of breath. It became evident as her symptoms continued to worsen, requiring more and more medications to palliate symptoms, that Mary would most likely not leave UC Davis Medical Center. Her fiancé who will be called “Bob” had remained by her bedside throughout the battle and was struggling with the idea of eventually leaving the hospital without her. Mary was reported to be a " lover of the sun." While Valerie was doing her patient rounds, she not iced Mary peacefully sleeping next to her fiancé Bob. Valerie sat next to them and had a short talk with Bob to see how everything was going. Bob explained that Mary has had a rough time since being ad mitted, she is on comfort care, is now bedbound, and has struggled to keep her pain under control. Bob has never left her side since she was admitted. Bob said quietly to Valerie, "Did you know that Mary loves the sun? Do you think it would be possible to take her outside to get some sunshine as my gift for her for Valentine's Day?" Valerie without hesitation said "I will do my best to make this happen". Valerie left the room with tears in her eyes. The difficulty arose in making Bob’s wish come true was that Mary was experiencing intense pain and would have to be transported outside by bed. Valerie talked with Sarah Soon, ANII and asked for help in problem solving this situation. Another nurse overheard the conversation and offered to help take Mary and Bob outside by bed. Sarah talked with Gary Gibson, Nursing Supervisor who assisted in figuring out the easiest way to get out of the hospital that would be private enough for the two of them to enjoy the sun. The team finally decided that the best option was to go through the Emergency Department (ED) ambulance bay and head over to the area by the water tower. This area was the most private and would give the Mary and Bob a sunny area where they could be alone. Sarah contacted Paige Versteeg, RN, Charge Nurse for the ED and asked if the ED nurses would be willing to show Valerie and Stephanie the easiest and fastest way outside the hospital. Paige after hearing the story was very helpful and showed them the fastest way out of the hospital to reach the water tower. Once they finally arrived out in the sun, a UC Davis Police officer assisted Valerie and Stephanie to make sure that all were kept safe and that Mary and Bob had privacy and as much time as possible in the sun. Due to the position of the sun, Valerie and Stephanie found themselves near the Cancer Center "chasing the sun." Each time they found a good spot the nurses stepped back and allowed Mary and her fiancé Bob to have some private moments cuddling in the bed together in the sunshine. As the sun moved Valerie and Stephanie would push the bed further.
The smiles from Mary and Bob as they cuddled under the sun was priceless. This request could have easily been dismissed as "against protocol" but instead this team of extraordinary people looked to find a way to make it happen. The patient and her fiancé were so grateful for this time together. Bob expressed his gratitude to the nurses and staff for helping him give this gift to his fiancé. A few weeks later Mary lost her battle with cancer and Bob had to leave UC Davis without her but was thankful that he had that memory of taking Mary outside in the sun, hopefully giving him some comfort.
About the DAISY Award
The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses recognizes outstanding members of the nursing community and the very special work they do every day. It was established by the DAISY Foundation in memory of the extraordinary nursing J. Patrick Barnes received when he was hospitalized. (DAISY is an acronym for diseases attacking the immune system.) This nursing recognition award program offers patients, families, and professional colleagues a way to honor nurses for all they do. The DAISY awardees consistently demonstrate excellence through their clinical expertise and extraordinary compassionate care.