I was admitted to the hospital with extreme vomiting after being unable to hold down food or water for five days. The pain I felt from throwing up like that was a combination of throwing up shards of glass mixed with lava. Honestly, it was terrifying.

Lily was my nurse once I was admitted, and I do not have enough good things to say about how kind, compassionate, empathetic, and hardworking she is. She was all smiles and really reassured me that everything was going to be okay. She made me feel like she completely understood why I was so anxious, and she did everything she could to help me feel calm, safe, and secure.

Anytime I needed absolutely anything, she was immediately responsive in the kindest way. She even sprayed my room with her peppermint spray to help settle my stomach and nerves with the calming peppermint smell. While being extremely busy and running around taking the best care of all her patients, not once did she make me feel like I was a bother, and she was always happy to help. Whether it was getting me ice packs, water, medicine, or even making sure the temperature of the room was comfortable enough to help me feel as at ease as possible.

When I had to move rooms, she and her teammate, who is a surgical tech who deserves recognition as well, helped me pack up all my stuff and carried everything for me. She even helped set the bed up with my personal blanket to make sure I was extra comfortable.

Lily was the brightest ray of sunshine that I so desperately needed when I was going through one of the scariest health flare-ups of my life, which is saying something because I’ve even been septic, and this was at that level of awful.

I do not have enough good things to say. She went above and beyond the typical standard of care with bright smiles and the warmest hearts.