In a world filled with stories of compassion and resilience abound, few are as touching as that of Alaina Tuttle and Amanda Donnelly.
As a child, Alaina was diagnosed with cancer, and her treatment journey involved radiation, surgery and countless hospital visits. During these challenging times, she met Amanda, a nurse who would become a significant figure in her life.
“I was diagnosed when I was 4, and I had treatment for two years – radiation, surgery, all the things,” Alaina recalls. “And that’s how Amanda and I connected. Amanda would carry me to the OR often and sing me to sleep. That’s how we met.”
Amanda, a recovery room nurse at the time, remembers their first encounter.
“It was kind of by chance the first time I took care of her,” she explains. “Also, I had a child the exact same age as Alaina, and we just connected personally. Anytime she would come back for surgery, her mom would contact me and say, ‘Hey, we’re coming again. Can you make sure you’re taking care of her?’ So, it became a routine. I would go out to see her in pre-op, even though I was technically a recovery nurse, and she would want me to carry her back. She wasn’t scared when I was with her, so we wouldn’t have to give her any medicines to calm her. I would sing ‘You Are My Sunshine’ to her.”
Their bond extended beyond the hospital walls. Thanks to social media, Amanda kept in touch with Alaina’s family, watching her grow up and succeed. Alaina’s medical journey continued with a significant spine surgery at 14 and a revision at 18, during which Amanda visited her, further cementing their enduring connection.
Fast-forward to the present. Amanda, now a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), and Alaina, a labor and delivery nurse, are working together at Mercy Health – Springfield Regional Medical Center.
Amanda joined the team at our hospital in June and was thrilled to know that Alaina was also working there.
“I didn’t want to say anything until my contract was signed, but once everything was official, I made the announcement, and it was such a joyous reunion,” Amanda shares. “We got to work together very shortly after I started. It’s really cool because Alaina grew up to be a nurse, and she told me that I was part of that inspiration.”
Alaina, now 24 and cancer-free for nearly 18 years, reflects on her journey and the impact Amanda had on her decision to pursue a career in health care.
“Growing up, I struggled with finding people who truly understood what I was going through. Amanda and many others in the health care field inspired me. I wanted to be that person for someone else. My original plan was to go into oncology, but I fell in love with labor and delivery.”
Today, Alaina and Amanda work closely in labor and delivery.
Alaina’s role as a labor and delivery nurse often intersects with Amanda’s duties as a CRNA, especially during epidurals and C-sections. Their shared experiences and deep understanding of patient care make them a great team.
“Amanda and I work together based on the needs of our patients,” Alaina explains. “Whether it’s an epidural or a C-section, we are there together, providing the best care possible. It’s amazing to work with someone who played such a pivotal role in my life.”
Amanda adds, “Labor and delivery has always been where my heart is. Having the opportunity to work with nurses like Alaina, who put their heart into their job, is incredibly fulfilling.”
Additionally, Alaina is especially grateful for her work in labor and delivery and for her own family.
“I am so thankful and blessed every day to do what I love and to be able to provide for my patients,” she explains. “I recently had a baby, a beautiful girl named Eleanor Mae. This miracle is especially precious because I was told I probably wouldn’t be able to have children of my own due to many rounds of chemo and radiation treatments.”
The bond between Alaina and Amanda reminds us of the profound impact that kindness and empathy can have. It shows us that the connections we make, no matter how small, can change lives and create lasting legacies.
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