I suffered a herniated spinal disk that was putting massive pressure on my sciatic nerve. I was completely immobilized and experiencing relentless muscle spasms coupled with electrifying pain from my belt line down to my right ankle. I could not walk; I could not move. I was transported to Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center Emergency. After receiving emergency room screening and treatment, I was moved to a hospital room. I could not rotate from lying on my right side. Several attendants immediately went to work, getting me admitted and hooking up IVs and monitors. Through the blur and fog of excruciating tormenting pain, I saw Chiho for the first time. Although other staff were excellent and competent, I received exactly what I expected…clinical professionalism. However, Chiho was different and stood out as genuinely compassionate and very concerned about my suffering. I connected with her immediately as she took control of the room and provided leadership and management of my situation. I remember thinking, “She appears to care, but why should she? I’ve never met her before. She seems genuinely concerned for me.” Chiho was my “Care Angel” when I needed one the most. My wife and family knew nothing of my predicament. I had my cell phone to make calls, but no charger. I asked Chiho if she could find me a phone charger. After a few minutes, she brought a charger. It didn’t fit. I told her not to bother further, but she wouldn’t hear of it. She went on a quest and found me a compatible phone charger, which I was able to use for my entire 12-day stay in the hospital. My phone was my lifeline to the outside world. Chiho comforted, soothed, and encouraged me so as to quiet my mind from the never-ending pain.

Chiho was off for the next few days. I had excellent nursing and technician care, but it was not the same without her. When Chiho returned as my nurse, I was grateful to have her. She treated me like a friend. Posted along the hospital walls is, “Everyone has a story.” Chiho sought out my story and was generous enough to share hers. She took the time to listen and talk with me. When Chiho was assigned to another floor or different patient group, she always came by to check in and spend some time with me. During our talks, I heard her many times refer to “my patients” as though she was protecting her den of cubs. Chiho made me feel like I was priority number one, but I know in reality that she made all her patients feel this way. What a special quality to have! It wasn’t until day nine that I received any relief from my pain and could finally turn from my right side onto my back.

I learned that the damage to my spine would require surgery to resolve. On day 10, I was to be transferred to Oakland Kaiser for spine surgery. Chiho asked me to keep her informed, whether she was on duty or off duty, and gave me her personal cell phone number. I will always be humbled by that extraordinary gesture of trust that she bestowed upon me. We kept in touch by text from the time I was transported to Oakland Kaiser to my return home on day 12. I continue to send text updates on my healing progress, and she always responds with continued encouragement. How many nurses do that? I can recall that a Nursing Supervisor would come into my room each morning and ask about the treatment I was receiving. Each day, I would respond that Kaiser care is the best of the best. Rating the doctors, nurses, technicians, nutritionists, maintenance, and housekeeping…the quality is “15 out of 10.” I was always asked if anyone “stood out.” I told her that with a score of 15 out of 10, how could anyone stand out above that? Then I would describe the kindness, empathy, and grace of Chiho. The Nursing Supervisor suggested I nominate Chiho for the “DAISY Award.” Although I’m now aware that “DAISY” is an acronym, at the time, I thought about a field of daisies harmoniously swaying in the wind. You just don’t see one daisy at a time…you see them all…as a collective group. Chiho has that empathetic aura that comforts each patient into feeling like they are special and the only daisy in her focus. Chiho deserves the DAISY Award not only for her extraordinary care and compassion and the “above and beyond” she provided me but also because she does this for all her patients. That’s just who she is.