“A Kickass NICU Nurse”

E.

“I was Rachel’s coworker in the NICU,” Ann wrote to me in an Instagram message a few weeks after Rachel’s funeral. “I worked days, and she worked nights. I always liked her and enjoyed sharing patients with her.”

With permission from the parents, Ann shared this story and picture of “E.”

At the end of her shift, Ann checked E out to Rachel for the night. E was scheduled for a cath in the morning, and Rachel was to prepare her by wiping her down with chlorhexidine wipes and changing her out her cute pink onesie and floral blankets for the standard issue hospital blankets.

During her months in the NICU, E’s parents dressed her in beautiful clothes, blankets, and accessories. It was the one “normal” aspect of her life, and it meant the world to them, especially a headband or hat with a huge bow.

“Somehow, Rachel knew how important E’s accessories were,” Ann said, “though I don’t think she had ever cared for her before that night.” Since E couldn’t wear her own clothes to the cath lab, “Rachel crafted a bow hat from the disposable pink and blue stripe hospital issue baby hats . . . And she bedazzled it with pink and purple rhinestones for a little extra flare.”

“I don’t think Rachel knew how much that small act meant to E’s family,” Ann explained. A month later, E’s parents displayed the hat Rachel had made at the celebration of E’s brief life.

“I’m sharing this story with you,” Ann continued, “and I hope you’ll tell your family and Rachel’s husband. We talk about the babies she cared for and the families she helped. We remember her fun spirit. Rachel was a kickass NICU nurse and a good person to have in your corner. We miss her so much.”