There's times in your life,
That are hard to go through,
Times when you'll need,
A good nurse standing by you.
A nurse is a healer,
A nurse is a friend,
Always there to help you,
From beginning to end.
They care and they comfort,
They're knowledgeable and kind,
True angels on earth,
Are so hard to find.
But I've found a good one,
Kristina is her name,
And in my opinion,
No one is the same.
What can I say about a nurse named Kristina? She is one of a kind. I have had many hospitalizations and many surgeries. She is truly the best caretaker I have ever been blessed with. I have had my stomach removed from cancer, as well as my esophagus. I have had chemotherapy twice as well as radiation once. I have had several leak repairs, a hernia, and many fistula repair attempts. I am no stranger to pain and discomfort.
It seems to me that nurses have a niche in one area of their profession. For example, one may be good in the medication department, one may be good at comforting patients and family members' nerves, and one may be good at explaining procedures and protocols. Kristina has all of these quality features, and more, rolled up in one. When I was nervous about an upcoming test, she comforted me, she displayed her knowledge and expertise in every conversation in every aspect of my condition. She answered my questions with kindness and true care. The shifts that I had with Kristina by my side were by far the best. Her compassion is off the charts.
I consider Kristina a truly rare find. When I was showing symptoms of having cancer for the third time, she comforted me and totally put my mind at ease. She assured me that this hospital and staff was right where I needed to be, to be offered the best, thorough, competent care available.
I can't say there was any one ah-ha moment that made me want to recognize Kristina. I can say it was how she handled every situation for every shift she was assigned to me. She even came in to check on me on a Monday, after having the weekend off, just to see how I was doing.
Kristina knew my history as she has taken care of me in the past. When I was filled with anxiety, it was as if she could read my mind and say just the right thing to alleviate my stress only to be related with calmness. She never once got frazzled or at least didn't show it. There were days she was very busy, yet I felt like her only patient. She never made me feel as if I was taking up too much of her time. When she couldn't get to me right away, she made sure someone could.
My experience at many hospitals leaves me to conclude that Chicago Northwestern has by far the best staff I have ever encountered and Kristina is a prime example of why. In a time where we can't hug each other, she has a natural ability to touch every person she encounters and makes their day better! She is a true DAISY Nurse.