Former AdventHealth Parker patient now supporting other patients after 64-day stay

Marie Williams remembers being admitted to AdventHealth Parker on September 1, 2023, for colon resection surgery, but after that, things get hazy.

“I woke up 12 days later in the ICU. I was confused, I was scared, I was trying to figure out what was going on,” said Marie.

Marie had developed sepsis, then her kidneys started failing, and she was having heart and lung problems. Due to these complications, Marie ended up staying at AdventHealth Parker for 64 days. During that time, she had six surgeries, underwent dialysis, received four blood transfusions, and had countless scans and procedures.

“During my time in the hospital I had good days and bad days. Some days I was so tired of the pain that I refused to get out of bed, others I was ready to move forward. I have so many people to thank for going above and beyond and easing the hardship of being hospitalized.”

Marie recalls a nurse who spent two hours braiding her unruly hair while she was in the ICU. She vividly remembers visits from chaplains who helped her make sense of her hospital stay.

“The compassion they showed me helped me understand what had happened, and that I was not weak to accept what God had sent me.”

Countless nurses helped cheer Marie on during some of her darkest days.

“One nurse always told me, ‘You can do it!’ I still say this when I am doing something I struggle with. Another nurse helped me celebrate every time I did something new by mixing up a celebratory drink of cranberry juice and sprite. I even remember the nurses who helped me get in a wheelchair so my husband could take me outside to view the eclipse.”

On Marie’s birthday, she was transferred out of the ICU. When the nurses and CNAs found out it was her birthday, everyone piled into Marie’s room to sing to her. Dr. Chris Winter even bought a cake for the entire floor.

“I will never forget the compassion and respect shown to me throughout the whole hospital. I even remember one of the EVS workers who cleaned my room told me he was praying for me. I was so touched.”

On November 4, 2023, Marie was discharged from AdventHealth Parker. During her recovery at home, Marie started thinking about how she could give back to the hospital who gave her so much.

“I remember being scared before one of surgeries and I asked the nurse if I could listen to a song to help calm me down. It was so comforting, and that’s when I first started thinking about art and medicine.”

Marie returned to AdventHealth Parker August 23, 2024, for hernia surgery. This time, she came prepared with a playlist for her entire surgery.

“They put my phone in a bag and put it right by my ear the whole time I was in surgery. After that, I knew I wanted to be a part of art and medicine at AdventHealth Parker, because I know how much it helped me feel in control of the situation.”

Knowing AdventHealth Parker has a robust Healing Arts program, Marie wondered how she could compliment the program and bring even more art to patients. Marie has a Master of Fine Arts in sculpture and knows how therapeutic it can be to work with your hands. That’s when the idea of art carts came to her. Marie worked with AdventHealth Parker’s Mission and Ministry Department to create carts full of art supplies so patients can paint, draw, color, and create just about anything.

“Patients can keep their mind busy, create things they can give to people, or even make something to brighten their hospital room,” said Marie. “When I was in the hospital, when the chaplains visited, and the Healing Arts musicians played for me, and I was able to live vicariously through the actions of those around me, those moments gave me hope. They helped me feel ready for what was coming next. I just hope I can help contribute to that spirit.”

The art carts officially launched on Monday, March 17, and are fully stocked with items for drawing, painting, sculpting, and even crocheting. Team members, patients, and clinics can request an art cart by reaching out directly to our chaplains. Marie looks forward to Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ to other patients through creativity.