Grateful for my co-workers and Beebe’s excellent care

This is a letter of thanks and gratitude to Beebe Healthcare for its partnership with Nemours Children’s Health that facilitated and streamlined care for my 3-month-old daughter, Ralynns, when she was recently hospitalized with a respiratory syncytial virus infection, aka RSV.

Since I a Beebe team member, this is also a letter expressing my gratitude to my co-workers whose compassion, kindness and care for both Ralynns and me was beyond exceptional and so very appreciated.

My first day back at Beebe from maternity leave was Nov. 7. I had brought Ralynns to Beebe’s Emergency Department the day before and she tested positive for RSV, but she was doing OK, so I went to work as scheduled.

I was glad to get home, but as evening came, I sensed a change in Ralynns’ breathing. By late evening, my husband and I decided we needed to take her back to the ED, and I am so glad we did.

We were thankful our ED team was the same as before, with Jonathan Hilton, MD, working there and Fabian Ngido, MD, as on-call pediatrician. Both physicians rushed to care for Ralynns, reassuring us that bringing her in was a good choice. She was admitted to a room on the second floor, where we met Liz Smith, RN, and Brooke Talbot, RN. Both were exceptional. They checked on Ralynns and me constantly, making sure we had everything we needed and could rest as well as possible. They even assured me it was OK to step away occasionally just to let myself breathe.

A few days into our stay, Ralynns’ condition worsened. Her breathing changed, and she had trouble breastfeeding. The nursing team and Kaustuv De, MD, decided to start an IV to help Ralynns stay hydrated. I wanted to stay in the room with my baby, but watching the procedure was too much, and I walked out to a family waiting area and began to cry. A Beebe environmental services workers stopped to see if I needed anything. I don’t know this incredible woman’s name, but she was with me when I saw the Rapid Response Team rush into Ralynns’ room, and she stayed to comfort me. I hope she sees this article and knows how grateful I am for her kindness.

Thankfully, the response team came out quickly to let me know that Ralynns was OK. Our care team calmly informed me she would need to be transferred to Nemours Children’s Health in Wilmington, and our transfer options were clearly explained. I am beyond grateful that nurse Liz stayed three hours after her shift ended to comfort Ralynns (whom she called her “pumpkin”) and me.

I want to thank the entire care team, including Derek Eckenrode, RN; Melanie Gale, RN; Ryan Gray, RN; Angela Jewett, RN; Taryn Kelley, RN; Lauren Lowe, RN; Lindsay Lyman, RN; Cheryl Palmer, RN; Theresa Polite; Julie Short, RN; Taylor Spears, RN; Cassidy Stenger, RN; James Telep, MD; Amy Bonkowski, RN; Nancy Forsyth, NNP; and Taylor White, RN. Because of you, I never felt alone, unclear about the care our daughter was receiving or what next steps were going to be. A very personal thank you goes to Patrick Donovan, Carrie Snyder, Shelby Coon and Michael Patrick for their kind compassion.

Because of Beebe and the well-executed partnership with Nemours Children’s Health, we felt confident every step of the way with Ralynns’ care here in Sussex County, including a smooth transfer. Everything felt calm and collaborative. We are so grateful.

If I have missed naming anyone, I sincerely apologize. Please know how grateful I am for all of the care we received.

My last thank you goes out to fellow Beebe team members Jamie Devine, Brooke Johnson, Jessica Sockriter, Nancy Jones, Suzanne McLean and Russell Johnson. These amazing people, knowing that I had exhausted my bank of time-off hours during maternity leave, began donating their personal leave time to me so I could stay with Ralynns during her hospitalization. It is truly amazing to be a part of this Beebe Healthcare family.

And family is what life is all about. My family and I have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season. I am elated to report that Ralynns is doing well. She came home Nov. 12 and is recovering wonderfully.

We are thankful we live in this community, and I’m so very thankful I work with so many wonderful people who provide excellent care to Beebe patients and their families every day.

As a community-based, not-for-profit healthcare system, Beebe Healthcare depends on the generous support of the community it serves. To make a gift to celebrate the excellent care you or a loved one has received, visit Beebe Medical Foundation at beebemedicalfoundation.org or call 302-644-2900. Want to share your story? Contact Amanda Neal at aneal@beebehealthcare.org.