Dallas Presby: The Real Scoop

In light of the recent media that hit Dallas Presbyterian Hospital I feel that I need to share some information with you. Information that will give you insight into who they really are and how they really care for their patients. Maybe the insight I provide will allow you to make a more informed opinion about those that work there. After all, I was there for 6 weeks on the antepartum floor and my son was there for 4 days shy of 7 months in the NICU. We spent nearly 9 months of the last year at that hospital. If anyone has experience with this hospital I think it's safe to say it's my family.

I am a mother to 5 children. I have 4 beautiful daughters and a son. When I was 19 weeks pregnant with our youngest, our son, my water broke. I was admitted to Rockwall Presbyterian Hospital and stayed there for 4 weeks, receiving exceptional care and comfort, when I was transferred to Dallas Presbyterian hospital. I started my stay at Dallas Presby last November, just one year ago. I had an entourage of people that cared for me. Doctors, nurses, custodians, chaplains, food service employees and technicians. While each person had a different personality, every person that came into my room made me feel like they cared about me and my family. The people that saw me on a daily basis came from all different races, ethnicities, and religions. From Africa to Asia, many people and cultures are represented in the staff there. They greeted me with smiles. Helped me with my bed pan. Chatted as they cleaned my floors. Brought me food as though I was at a restaurant. Carefully assessed me. Lifted my spirits. Cried with me. Hoped and prayed for me. They not only cared for my physical body but they nurtured my spirit and gave comfort when I needed it. From Caucasian workers to Hispanic ones, they ALL made a difference in my life.

I stayed pregnant for 6 more weeks at Dallas Presbyterian Hospital with amazing care, after the 4 at Rockwall Presbyterian. Although I was taken to labor and delivery at 24 weeks and was able to remain pregnant, at 29 weeks they had to do an emergency c-section. My son was welcomed into the world and taken immediately to the NICU. With lack of amniotic fluid there was no way to know how his lungs would function and if he would be able to survive or not. The first few days were rough. But as time kept passing and he wasn't making big improvements or gains the months seemed to go by. Although every other part of him was healthy, his lungs were just so small. Through all of his care, his survival was always unknown. Some days we thought he would make it. Some days we thought we would be planning his funeral. Through ALL of the ups and downs my son received phenominal care. His nurses and therapists treated him as their own. They would check on him when they weren't caring for him. They had their own terms of endearment for him, they would hold him, pat him, love him and talk for hours to him. His doctors constantly stayed on top of his treatment plan and care trying to do all they could to get ahead of his lung disease hoping to make strides. They balanced being hopeful while being realistic and provided love and care not only for our son but for us. Our son was in the hospital through flu season which meant his sisters couldn't visit. Doctors and nurses would visit our girls in the waiting room, giving them treats and stories and attention. They planned ways for the girls to look through doors when he was wheeled to surgery so they could take a peek at him. Day after day for nearly 7 months we watched these amazing people care for our son. They were a strength and support to him and to us.

Not only did I observe the care my son received in the 207 days he was at Dallas Presbyterian, but as I visited him daily (with the exception of a few days here and there due to illness) I witnessed the way the staff there cared for other patients and families in the NICU. I saw people from various nationalities and races. I watched when people didn't know I was watching. I saw the same things I saw when I was cared for. Every single baby there received exceptional care.  From emergency protocol in action to day to day tasks, and everything in between, each staff member carried out each task to every patient and family no matter what. The amazing thing was that those tasks weren't just performed. They were carried out in love and devotion that was tangible to every last patient. Their hearts are tied to everyone they take care of.

After 207 days in the NICU our son was too tired to go on in this life. He was called home to our loving father in Heaven and now rests in the arms of our Savior. My husband and I were at his side while surrounded by the staff there. He was loved so deeply and just moments before he passed away one of his doctors brought him a sucker to comfort him. They loved him and cared for him to the last minute. In fact, they still love him. The doctors were his pallbearers, his nurses came to his viewing and celebration of life. In my family when you love someone so deeply you open your heart to them and call them your own. Our family now includes the staff at Dallas Presbyterian Hospital. So the scoop is this, if you truly have a good heart it doesn't see color, race, religion or status. We are to "love one another" and the staff at Dallas Presbyterian do just that. I know because I saw it. Every day, for nearly 9 months.

With love,
Leah Fish