Alexandria, Louisiana (Kalb) – Nurse in central Louisiana survives every day while searching for a new mind.
Kinsley Patterson, a native of Lena, was 11 years old and wanted to pursue a nursing career. She was responsible for caring for her grandmother after being diagnosed with heart failure.
“I got her insulin injections and saw her undergo various surgeries and combat heart failure, which inspired me.
For eight years, her journey took her to Matthews Memorial Hospital in Alexandria, where she gave back to patients when needed.
“So I always wanted to look after older patients and elderly patients,” she said. “Most of the patients I had there were with me the whole time I was there. So it wasn't just a patient nurse relationship. We were family. We cared about caring for my grandmother and grandfather. It wasn't just a job relationship.
Then in 2018, when a doctor diagnosed her with heart failure at the age of 32, he surprised Patterson.
“I was still working at that point… I went from room to room to care for patients, it was a struggle,” she said. “I just held my breath as I was walking.”
Patterson has been living in a battery operated heart since surgery in June 2020. She is currently listed as a top priority on the Houston Hospital transplant list and hopes to return to supporting people at times of need.
“So it's really important that I get my heart and get better. I can go back to doing what I love, but now I feel like I'm offering more because I've got the experience of not just what I did before heart failure, but actually being a patient and a sick person who needs help.”
Patterson insists that everyone is checked by a doctor, regardless of their condition.
She is currently hospitalized at that Houston hospital and has been undergoing treatment for the past 35 days.
Click here to visit Patterson's GoFundMe page for anyone who wants to support her journey!
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