After being admitted to Monument, I woke up a day or two later, and everything was very confusing for me. My mind was trying to piece things together, but my memory wasn't there. Jourdan was the first nurse I had, and the one thing I remember (as well as my family) is how wonderful she was. I apologize for taking so long to get this submission, as this happened last year. But as I mentioned, it is all confusing, and my brain is having a hard time digesting everything.

When I am nervous, I compensate with my stupid sense of humor. That, combined with my brain still not piecing sentences together, usually came out very strange. Jourdan made me feel comfortable and never let that get to me. A great example was, one day, she had to get me cleaned up after I had gone to the bathroom. As she did, all I kept thinking was, oh my goodness, here is this wonderful person with a nursing degree, and she has to do this when I know there are a million "nursing" things she could be doing right now. I felt bad she had to do that as there wasn't an aide available. I just wanted to let her know I appreciated it, but I felt bad I was taking her time to do 'that'! Well, with my brain not cooperating with my mouth yet, it came out, "So, how do you like wiping people for a living"? OMG! My brain wouldn't even let my mouth correct it. I could have crawled in a hole inside. But Jourdan took it like a champ and met my sense of humor right back at me. She eased my anxiety without even knowing it was there. She was there for me in ways she didn't even realize at the time because I couldn't voice them yet. She was a hero to me and my family in a very scary and difficult time. Her smile, calm explanations, and tender touch were a godsend to me and my family.

I believe every one of my nurses during my stay deserves this award. These are just a couple of examples I have. I truly could write a book on the exceptional care I (and my family) received during my stay. Each and every one of them did an amazing job! We are forever grateful and humbled by your service. May God bless each and every one of you. Thank you from a very grateful patient (and MH colleague) and family.