As the CNO of a hospital you don't expect to find yourself scared, overwhelmed and out of control as a patient with a new, rare medical condition. In January of 2012 I found myself in that exact position, scared of what the future would hold. In the following months I learned I would become a life-long patient of the infusion center and was apprehensive about starting infusions and a strict medical regimen. On my first day was greeted with a warm smile by Nurse Dana Warner. She explained every step of what would become a new life ritual to me, answering ALL of my questions and easing my many fears. She took my sarcasm like a champ and learned to give it right back; surely knowing this was my way of handling what otherwise was a maddening situation. Over the last year Dana has been warm, kind, light-hearted, encouraging, patient, an advocate, a supporter and quite frankly a "rock" for me.

As I now transition into a new role in a new state, I feel sad to leave Dana. I've never faced my disease without her. Not many people "quit" or leave the Infusion Center with the hope, health and opportunities that I have ahead of me and I know this is partially due to the care and healing touch given to me by Dana. I can think of now other nurse more deserving of the DAISY Award than Dana Warner- a nurse who courageously took care of her CNO when she was at her worst but always made her feel the BEST! I will never forget her!