Dylan was my nurse in February when I received spinal decompression surgery from Dr. Buchowski. All my nursing care was excellent, but on two occasions was exceptionally helpful and appreciated thanks to Dylan and his experience, skill, and compassion. The first was a day during recovery when I unusually became disoriented and hallucinated. It was an odd and unsettling experience. My wife recognized I was having a problem and went to the nurse's desk for assistance.

Dylan personally responded quickly and, from his prior experience, successfully realized that it was likely resulting from my gabapentin reacting with other pain medications. Thanks to him, everything was soon normal again. His knowledge and response were appreciatively calming and reassuring to my wife and me, and reinforced a confidence and respect we already had for him from his day-to-day skilled and considerate care. Dylan provided unique and endlessly appreciated compassion during a personally embarrassing experience shortly following my discharge.

We were leaving the parking lot for our three-hour ride home when I had the terrible urgency for a bowel movement. We quickly returned to the hospital lobby bathroom, but I was unsuccessful in getting completely seated on the toilet in time. I soiled the toilet seat, and due to this and my current mobility, I was unable to effectively wipe myself without making a further mess and likely soiling my underwear and pants. I called my wife, who was in the hall, and through the reception desk, she was able to contact our previous nurse’s station. Again, Dylan immediately responded and compassionately and patiently cleaned me up so that I could continue home.

An experience like this, beyond embarrassing, is a humbling one for a seventy-year-old, and I’m especially grateful for how Dylan graciously and effectively took care of everything, enabling me to retain my dignity and to comfortably return home in unaffected clothes. His skill and personality are exceptional for his chosen career. Individuals like him create, demonstrate, and promote the respected standards and skills of the nursing profession, and the continuing earned respect and legacy of Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital.