Stepdown is busy...very busy and very happy. Jean Leonard, Thamar and Letitia will be going home. We have become very fond of this entire group of patients but this is the first "large" group to depart. Gukunde left yesterday and has called to say he is well. We are very pleased with their progress, but it is sad to see them go in one way...delighted in another.
Yesterday was patient photo day. It began with seeing all the patients out in the sunshine and how healthy and vibrant they were looking. With permission we began to snap photos and they really became an active part as they realized Sue Gabriel had brought a printer and our souvenir to them was a group photo copy to take home! It seemed like the entire hospital wandered over to watch and smile as they began to realize this was the open heart team patients. The festive feeling followed though dinner and no one wanted to settle down for the night. Sheryl Sanders from Lincoln, NE and Nadia Aires, Boston had a hard time convinicing them sleep was good thing and part of recovery.
This is always bittersweet...so much work , so much anxiety in the preparation, yet so much joy. The hand over to the local team is in progress and the voices of Sue Gabriel and Sara Stankiewicz, and Egidia Rugwizangoga carry across the courtyard to pharmacist Bonnie as they give instructions (again). The church below is singing hymns and occasionally the patients join in.
I have had so much fun watching these dedicated nurses these past two days and Bonnie with JaBaris Swain complete the handover. They are like mother hens reinforcing teaching and medication guidelines. It was not planned but it is a Brigham and Women's Hospital team today and they rival a flight crew for coordination.
Thank you Ceeya for the kind words. We had a very cohesive group this year and i feel the transition from screening, surgery, ICU to step down and home was coordinated and free of drama. The magic of the step down and the fun of dancing and walking and laughing make this mission seem so positive. Every year is so different.
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