We have a very talented nurse that works in our PACU. She must know every song published before 1980. We are the audience when she feels the impulse to share her vast repertoire by spontaneously bursting into song.

When a patient comes in not only do we treat their discomfort, but also address whatever concerns are expressed. We had a young female traumatic amputee who was already struggling with adapting to her altered life and body image, when she fell and shattered her remaining ankle. Her initial hospital experience was anything but smooth. The entire trauma from her experience seemed to coalesce. We tried to treat her wailing with medication, but Dottie compassionately saw that what was needed was beyond the scope of any syringe. She gently talked the terrified young woman down from her height of anxiety and stroked her hair as she sang her to sleep. She continued to gently sing and talk to this young lady until she woke up again, calm and lucid. We watched as Dottie poured herself, her strength, her optimism and joie de vive into this patient and by doing so began to restore the dignity this loss had taken from her. As we transported this young woman to her room, she discussed with a sense of purpose and determination the new course her rehabilitation was going to take. She greeted her family with a new cast and a smile. I think we should let Dottie sing as much as she wants don't you?

Dottie is retiring soon and she continues to be the one nurse we all turn to when there is a patient whose anxiety is out of control. Recently, there was a young opioid-dependent young woman who was wailing in distress, frightening other patients. Dottie was asked to come to the bedside and within a few minutes had soothed this patient by engaging her in conversation and attending to her unique needs. We all were comforted by Dottie's therapeutic presence and even her singing will be greatly missed!