I was admitted to Mercy Fairfield for chest pains. After a stay in the emergency room, I was moved to a floor where Chrystina Tillery was my nurse/caretaker for the last half day of my stay. By that time, during a battery of tests, I was tired, nauseous, and anxious about test results. Admittedly I was impatient and “snippy” with others.

After the first two or three visits from Chrystina, this turned around. Her easygoing, sunny personality turned a stressful situation into a tolerable and calm one. On occasion, lightness and laughter. She handled my nausea quickly and efficiently. She helped to keep track of test schedules and delays to ease my anxiety. Requests were quickly met. It was at discharge time that I was most grateful and impressed by Chrystina’s skill and kindness. She informed me that I was being discharged (it was late afternoon). She had removed the IV apparatus and heavily bandaged it (I have atrial fib and have been on blood thinners for a long time).

As I was dressing, pulling on a shirt, I dislodged the bandage. The bleeding became very heavy and to me very scary. Chrystina jumped in quickly, controlled the bleeding, and replaced a heavier bandage. My shirt was blood-soaked and after she cleaned me up, she procured a new Mercy T-shirt for me to wear home. Meanwhile, my ride home was disrupted, so Chrystina arranged for a Lift service, accompanied me to the hospital entrance, and stay with me until I was on my way.

Meanwhile, as we talked and shared pet stories and her photos, her interest in me and my well-being was sincere and comforting. All is well with me now (all tests with good results!) I will not forget Chrystina and her leading role in my recovery and the positive feelings I have for Mercy. I’m sure her associates feel the same.