Going into the hospital is never a fun adventure, especially when for a kid. For young kids who don’t fully understand whats happening or why, it can be overwhelming. Thats why nurses and hospital staff are so important and vital to the patient’s experience and every so often a story comes around like this one that makes you appreciate medical staff even more.
5 year-old Slade Thompson was going into surgery for his tonsils. His second surgery in a short period of time, and he didn’t love hospitals in the first place. He usually was treated at a children’s hospital, but this time was taken to Williamsport Regional Medical Center.
The doctors at UPMC Susquehanna took great care of Slade, and the entire staff made sure he was comfortable. But the nurse that stood out the most was the one that came to his side after he came out of surgery, when his mother couldn’t be by his side.
Annie Hager was the nurse that was scheduled to check on him after his surgery. When he was coming out, he woke up from anesthesia early, and was so scared. Slade started crying when he realized his mom wasn’t there. Then he asked Hager if she would snuggle him and without hesitation she laid right next to him and wrapped him in her arms.
“Kids don’t typically come out of anesthesia very happy.” Hager said in an interview. Which is why she was so understanding towards Slade.
Slade’s mother Layla was waiting outside in the waiting room, waiting for the ‘okay’ to go i nan d see her son, when the doctors came out and told her that he was awake. What she saw when she walked into his room melted her heart.
“You want someone to treat your child the way you would treat them.” Layla said. She was so impressed by Hager’s actions that it brought tears to her eyes and they brought their new favorite nurse presents the next time they saw her at his check up.
“This little guy right touched my heart, and his mama’s beautiful kind words and actions have brought tears to my eyes twice now! This right here is why I love my job!” Hager posted on Instagram with a couple of photos of her and Slade.
Hager’s post has since went viral and has been shared hundreds of times, and has been covered on the local news. Facebook comments and everyone else on social media agree that we need more people like Hager in this world.
The best part of this story is that Hager wasn’t even scheduled to work the day of Slade’s surgery. She was supposed to have the day off but was called in due to the hospital being short staffed. Who knew that when she went in she would have an unforgettable impact on one scared little patients life.
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