As a younger adult female patient, I often feel very vulnerable and nervous in the hospital. Especially during this specific hospitalization. I was there for an embarrassing surgery for a young person- all of my teeth were removed at once. When I got to the floor, Wheeler 4, I was in a level of pain I had never experienced in my life. I usually try to keep quiet and not bother anyone (I try to never use my call bell), but I was sobbing and being vocal and couldn't help it.

Kindra made all of my self-conscious and ashamed feelings disappear. She helped step in and have the doctors adequately treat my symptoms after I had been crying for what felt like days at that point. She went out of her way to look at my history to see what has helped me in the past. She came right on time or early with all of my medications. But more than anything, it was clear she truly cared about me. That can be a hard thing to come by.

Kindra was my voice when I couldn't even physically speak, and she checked in on me on days she wasn't even my specific nurse. Before leaving for a weekend, she knelt down next to me and told me to speak up when I was in pain because I deserve relief and shouldn't be left suffering. It's hard to even explain how much that conversation meant to me. I am so used to being made to feel like a nuisance for being in pain or not being believed about my pain. I am so grateful I was able to have Kindra as my nurse. She is the perfect example of what an extraordinary nurse is!