I would like to nominate a nurse, Kimberly Meador, and acknowledge her for going above and beyond which contributed to saving my life. I was emergently taken to the operating room where I developed hypotension and was moved to the recovery room for 7 hours. My sister told me about Nurse Meador and how she kept her informed of my status. Nurse Meador had my sister come into the recovery room with me since my blood pressure was fluctuating radically in the hope’s my sister’s presence would help. She kept me talking even when I didn’t want to talk while holding my hand, about how I needed to finish my book so I could help others and get a law passed concerning elder abuse since both of my parents died from elder abuse. While she kept me talking my blood pressure amazingly was starting to stabilize. Once stabilized, I was transferred to the ICU. My will to live was at my lowest point during recovery and after hearing why I needed to finish my book I started wanting to recover. Then Nurse Meador brought me flowers and a card to the ICU.

I would like to share her words of encouragement to me – to share with you – the kind of nurse you have on your staff. ‘You have made an impact on my life, you are one of a kind, funny, genuine, motivated, driven, an author, but most of all you are a take it or leave it – my kind of gal! You make a difference in the lives of the people around you and this world is a better place because of you. I wish you a speedy recovery and blessings in the future. Thank you for touching my heart. It is because of people like you and your family that I am a nurse. The reward comes from taking care of people like you. Blessings Kimberly.’

I have been hospitalized many times before but never have I had as much compassion from a nurse that truly wanted to step out of the box to ensure, what medicine couldn’t do, she could by getting into the mind of a patient that just wanted to give up hope and a reminder why life is so important. I want you to know I am in the process of finishing my book, which included another chapter about my experience of running into an Earth Angel, one that wasn’t ready to give up on me. I wouldn’t find it hard to believe other patients at WakeMed Cary have experienced the same from a very special nurse on your staff, Kimberly Meador.