Nurse Appreciation Week unedited

In the Chu family, a week is not enough time to show our appreciation for the nurses who have been a part of our journey.  It is the nurses who have helped us every day to learn a little more, bond a little more, and thrive a little more with our children.  When we were facing the uncertainties of the pregnancy it was the nurses who calmed our fears and gave us courage.  When it came time for the hospital stay before the girls got here, it was the nurses that made sure we were as comfortable as possible in such an uncomfortable situation (except for that one that wouldn't let me eat, I still haven't forgiven her).  It was the kindness of a nurse that caused her to come after working a long shift to explain to us what to expect on what was going to be the most frightening day of our lives so far.  It was the skill of the nurses that welcomed our daughters into the world when there was a really good chance they could have been ushering them out.  It was nurses who did whatever they could do to let me see my babies.

When everything was foreign to us, it was a nurse who patiently explained.  In the middle of the night when we couldn't tear ourselves away from our babies to go get some rest, it was the nurses who gently but firmly assured us that it would be ok.  When things got critical, it was a nurse who calmly handled the situation and then explained how badly things could have been.  Nurses translated all of the jargon so that we understood what was happening.  When all I wanted in the whole world was to hold my baby, it was a nurse who made it happen.  Nurses took our picture so that we would remember these precious moments forever.  Nurses became our friends when our friends couldn't get to us or had no idea what to do.  They know where the stash of tissues is when the day gets tearful.  They know where the stash of the good pacifiers is and do what they have to do to make sure we have one.    They know our babies, they love our babies, and they fight for what's best for our babies and for our family.  They bend the rules where the rules can be bent to make sure that the right thing is done.  They follow the rules to a point of tedium when those rules protect our children.  They rejoice over poopy diapers, finished bottles, and low co2 numbers.  They love on our children when "loving on" is not in the job description.  They love on our children even when our children aren't their patients!

When I was tempted to give credit for saving my child's life to a nurse, she was quick to remind me that no one on earth can take credit for saving their lives.  She's right.  However, there is no doubt in my mind that every life saving measure, every loving touch, every step off the beaten path to give the best care, comes straight from our loving Heavenly Father.  He has given us His miraculous touch, His endless compassion, and His gentle care through the actions of our nurses.  There will never be a day when we don't appreciate that.