Leah Russo, RN

After my laparoscopic surgery, I was supposed to go home the same day, but there was a complication because I was not able to void. I was also diagnosed with endometriosis, which was something I truly did not expect, and emotionally it hit me very hard. I was overwhelmed, scared, and thinking the worst. I was then admitted to C6 at night.

I did not want to go home with a catheter. Unfortunately, I ended up needing one, and I completely broke down. I was having a panic attack, saying I could not do this, that something was wrong with me, and wondering why all of this was happening after everything I’ve been through in the last 8 months.

Throughout all of it, Leah was incredibly kind, patient, and gentle with me; she stood beside me and helped calm me through grounding techniques, asking me what I could hear, see, and feel. It honestly worked; she brought me out of my panic attack and reassured me that I was going to be ok. And she was right – I am ok.

I was terrified to go home with a catheter, but Leah made me feel like it was manageable and nothing to be ashamed of. She talked to me through everything, explained what I needed to do, and made me feel safe during one of the hardest moments I’ve had in a long time. I will always be grateful for her compassion and care.