As a patient with sickle cell disease, I require a softer type of care due to the extreme pain I am in. Nurse Audra went above and beyond to make sure I was as comfortable as possible. Very few VA Nurses have had to deal with a patient with my condition because this condition is not allowed in the military. Instead of telling me that she knows about the complications of sickle cell disease, she was able to say she knows little but is willing to listen to my needs and complaints to best provide me with a comfortable stay while under her care. She would constantly ask me what I needed and advocated on my behalf to the doctors concerning my unbearable pain due to the sickle cells. Call down to food services and order for me, understanding how quickly and easily I could become fatigued even with the most simple of tasks. Her concern was I save my energy for recovery. Nurse Audra anticipated when I would struggle and would be ready to take care of the situation so it would be one less thing for me to even fret about.

This is a life-long battle I will forever be dealing with, but if I am fortunate enough to get her, I know my recovery will be met with respect, dignity, love, compassion, true anticipation, actions matching words, and a healing process and care I thought only grandmothers were able to provide. 

Both my stay at the VA and my life going forward have been blessed because of Nurse Audra. Good nurses are like friends, length of time means nothing. What matters is who says I’m here for you and then proves it! Thank you, Nurse Audra.​