We show up for our patients

MountainView Hospital nurse Tessa D. normally works in the hospital’s neurosciences intensive care unit, but recently was “floated” to help in the medical intensive care unit (MICU). She took over for a nurse in the care of a critically ill patient.

When she checked in on the patient, she noticed the patient, Lori, was unable to speak loudly and was mouthing something. She worked with the patient and the patient’s partner, Eddie; Lori was trying to communicate that she wanted to go to hospice care.

Tessa immediately contacted Dr. Amber McDonald to have her put in proper orders and evaluate the patient.

“Next time I went into the room, my patient and her partner were talking about how they had wanted to get married when the patient had been at the Mayo Clinic earlier this year,” Tessa said.

Circumstances did not allow that to take place, but Tessa was determined to help her patient fulfill her wishes.

Eddie said he and Lori went to high school together, but after graduation they “went their separate ways.” Fast forward, Eddie and Lori again met up in Las Vegas about 15 years ago, started hanging out and fell in love.

Eddie said Lori got sick last year, diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis, which is a form of sarcoidosis, in which inflammation occurs in the brain, spinal cord and other areas of the nervous system. Over the past year, Lori has spent much of that time in and out of hospitals, including MountainView and Southern Hills hospitals.

While the couple have known each other and loved each other for almost two decades, they never made the leap to getting married. Now that Lori was looking at a different path for treatment, the pair wanted to document their love for each other.

That’s where Tessa and the MountainView team jumped into action.

Tessa had recently had been to a bachelorette party and still had some of the silky white pajamas available that she retrieved for Lori. Mary Behun, Rapid Response Nurse, also enlisted her family; calling her dad to bring in a cake and flowers. The nurses commandeered flowers and fairy lights from the hospital’s Daisy Award cart, which is used to honor nurses going above and beyond for their patients.

MICU manager Jordann Bacino found some sparkling cider for Lori and Eddie to celebrate with.

“We helped Lori get dressed up and Eddie brought rings,” Tessa said.

Even GME resident Dr. Navroop Sekhon helped, performing the ceremonial marriage.

“Lori was so excited, she was so cute,” Tessa said of her patient.

After the ceremonial wedding, Lori actually decided to not proceed with hospice and instead was transferred to a long-term acute care facility. Eddie said Lori is off the ventilator and is getting stronger every day.

“Things are looking better; hopefully she will come home in a month of two,” he said.

Tessa, who has been a nurse for a little over two years and prior to that was a nurse apprentice, said the day was very emotional.

“They were very sweet people,” Tessa said. “They obviously love each other so much.”

Lori and Eddie after the ceremony

Lori with her nurse, Tessa