Elijah, 6, shares a long-lasting bond with Cynthia, a nurse in CHOC’s cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU), constructed on belief, compassion and unwavering assist.
Greater than Care
When Sabrina and her spouse, Ileana, started their adoption journey, they by no means imagined it will cause them to a hospital room. However that’s the place they met Elijah—simply 4 months previous, within the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) at Kids’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC).
Elijah had been born with hypoplastic left coronary heart syndrome, a uncommon and complicated situation that requires a number of surgical procedures to outlive. He was the half-brother of their daughter, and the second they signed the paperwork, they turned a household. What they didn’t anticipate was that Elijah’s care group would additionally grow to be part of that household.
From the very starting, one CHOC CVICU nurse stood out: Cynthia. She turned a gentle, acquainted presence; somebody who noticed past diagnoses and remedy plans.
Going through the Fontan process
When Elijah was 3½ years previous, his first try on the Fontan process, a essential surgical procedure for kids with hypoplastic left coronary heart syndrome, confronted sudden issues. Elijah spent 42 days within the hospital recovering as his physique struggled to regulate to the modifications.
Throughout that point, Cynthia’s unwavering presence was a supply of consolation and power. She was there by his aspect every day, bringing balloons to elevate his spirits and providing the light care that made his hospital keep extra bearable.
At 6 years previous, Elijah efficiently underwent the Fontan surgical procedure. This time, the process was accomplished efficiently, and Elijah spent 69 days within the hospital recovering, supported by the identical devoted group that had been with him each step of the best way.
Past care
Cynthia’s position in Elijah’s life went past the day-to-day duties of a nurse. She didn’t simply monitor his well being; she cared for him in a manner that solely somebody along with her ardour and dedication might.
She learn to him, took him exterior, and launched him to music remedy, a ardour he nonetheless holds at the moment.
Even when she wasn’t his major nurse, Cynthia made it some extent to examine in on Elijah when he was present process the Fontan process. “She would at all times convey him toys, costume him in common garments so he didn’t really feel like only a affected person, and ensure he was by no means alone,” Sabrina stated.
This mix of kindness and a focus made Cynthia stand out as a nurse, a mentor and a relentless supply of assist for Elijah and his household.
A long-lasting connection
At 6 years previous, Elijah nonetheless often asks about Cynthia, regardless of not having been within the hospital for a while. He’ll ask his mother and father in the event that they’ve informed “Mrs. Cynthia” about one thing that occurred, whether or not it’s a fall from his bike or a foul day at college.
“Their bond has grow to be one thing far more than a patient-nurse relationship. “We all know they’ll at all times be lifelong pals,” Sabrina says, her voice filled with gratitude.
A heartfelt tribute to all nurses
Nationwide Nurses Week is a time to acknowledge the deep connections nurses kind with the individuals they take care of. Cynthia’s story is particular, however not uncommon. Throughout our group, nurses present up daily with compassion, curiosity, and dedication.
They don’t simply deal with signs. They discover the little issues. They ask the additional questions. They grow to be trusted faces and acquainted voices for households navigating the unknown.
This week—and each week—we have a good time nurses who remind us of the ability of human connection in medication.
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Be taught extra about CHOC’s Coronary heart Institute
CHOC Hospital was named one of many nation’s greatest youngsters’s hospitals by U.S. Information & World Report in its 2024-25 Finest Kids’s Hospitals rankings and ranked within the cardiology and coronary heart surgical procedure specialties.
