Almost a week ago, I had my gallbladder removed. I had to wait in bed for 5 hours for surgery, because two emergency patients came in. It was a tough day for me, but the nurses who helped me made life bearable. I am grateful to all of the nurses who helped me. Along with the surgery room staff and my surgeon, each of these people helped me, and I cannot thank them enough. I truly mean that, as I sit here...still hurting and bruised six days later. One person, in particular, really stuck by me. He was the last to leave from his shift, and his name is Brian. I was a little out of it, and may not recognize Brian on the street, but if I saw him, I would thank him one last time. I remember thanking him that day, way before it was time for me to leave.
 
It was shortly after my doctor came in to inform me of the wait that had come up. Brain came in and said there were actually TWO add-ons. He said not to worry, that he would be there. "I would be here 24/7 anyway!", he smiled. "So I'm not going anywhere." Later, it was post-surgery. Back in my room, with some new holes, courtesy of my doctor and the robot, DaVinci Xi. Brian was right there and said he was staying until I was taken care of. After some water and some seriously excellent Jello Cups (for real!)...Brian went over home care again with me. The most useful tip that has served me every day so far, post-op, was from Brian. "Do you have a heating pad?", he asked. "Yep, I have one." "When you get home, get it out and use it. It is going to help a lot, okay?" It was finally time for Brian to be able to go home. I was the last surgical patient to go home. Brian was the last nurse.

The man never complained and never had a negative thing to say. He was professional and human. For so many reasons, this guy deserves SOMEthing. Probably something better than the Root Beer Flavored Dum-Dum in the pile of suckers (if that analogy makes any sense to you!) As I have said, each of my nurses treated me with the utmost care, even though that day for them was one of the countless others that probably all look very similar. Not one of them was grumpy, nor uncaring in the least. You'd think that the humanity would kind of drain out of a person in the medical profession. ...Not in a bad way. Just because, like a mechanic for automobiles, humans come and go. Wheel the next broken one in and fix it, you know? I can tell you from working in the autobody industry, that it can get that way. Not with this crew and not with Brian. 

I would like to thank him one more time...from one man to another. There is a good crew up there. I was treated with respect by every single person. From my doctor, who apologized for the delay (He had to save people! No apology needed!) to anesthesia and the team in the O.R. ...and the nursing staff. Everyone was excellent. I am grateful to live in a day and age where I was able to have this surgery...and done this way. I am hoping for a full recovery. What was just another day for Brian and the others, this was a really big deal to me. I literally had been waiting months for this surgery. 

Note: This is Brian's 3rd DAISY Award!