Early Tuesday morning, I was rushed to Nacogdoches Medical Center in Nacogdoches, Texas, by ambulance. Later that same afternoon, I underwent emergency surgery to remove what I would come to find out was a necrotic gallbladder. In the end, I was in the hospital for a total of 10 days, 3 at another hospital before leaving and finding my heroes at Nacogdoches Medical Center for 7 more days, finally getting home Monday.

During my stay at Nacogdoches Medical Center, every single staff member who attended to me stood out in their own way. My care was phenomenal, as were the attitudes and understanding of all those involved. One of my nurses stood out amongst all the others, though, Mackenzie Olger.

On Sunday, I thought I was going to be discharged. I had been told for a few days that I would probably get to go home that weekend, but it wasn’t to be. That morning, I had my daily blood drawn and testing. My blood levels came back very low, and I was told that I may need a transfusion. Nothing else was offered. I had no idea at the time that it could simply be a testing anomaly. I was scared, I was terrified, I lost my cool, and had a small mental breakdown. I thought I was getting better, not worse.

Mackenzie saw me crying in my room. She tried to console me, to explain what was going on as best as she could, to assure me that everything was still going to be alright. I didn’t need a doctor or a nurse at that moment; I needed some normalcy in my life.

Later that evening, after my family left, Mackenzie came back to my room for my evening meds. She could tell that I was still reeling from the news that morning and having to spend yet another night in the hospital. Once her rounds were done, she came back to check on me, but this visit was different. There wasn’t a bunch of medical talk, no numbers thrown at me that I didn’t understand. We talked about my family life, my mental health that day, video games, anything she could to get my mind off what had happened to me that morning. She took the time to make sure that I had some normalcy that I desperately needed and she recognized. My tears finally stopped, my blood pressure went back down, and I was able to rest for the first time since being hospitalized.

The next morning, when they redrew my blood, it was still down. As soon as Mackenzie heard, she was back in my room chatting me up. They decided to retest, and this time it came back within normal range. Mackenzie was the one to find the hospitalist for me and let them know the good news and that I would love to talk to them about going home finally. It feels fitting that Mackenzie was there that morning to pull my IV and wish me luck on a speedy and thorough recovery.

In all my time there, from waking up after my first surgery and not knowing my own name or recognizing my wife of almost 18 years or our wonderful children, through the second surgery I needed two days later to continue my care and ensure my issue was completely corrected, to the moment I was discharged, every staff member involved treated me with kindness and compassion. I was treated like a patient, though. Most of my interactions were “Do you need anything?” and “Here’s your medications,” which again were all excellent and done in a very professional manner by all involved.

Mackenzie Olger stood out when she recognized the signs of my mental distress after such a taxing 9 days on my body and soul. She went above and beyond what I would have expected or even anticipated by a nurse I saw a handful of times and brought a calming sense to one of my worst days during my stay.

When I saw Mackenzie the next morning, I apologized for keeping her so long the evening before. I felt bad that I had monopolized her time when there was a hospital full of patients. Mackenzie assured me that I had done nothing wrong at all and that it was good to have a human conversation beyond scheduled medications and lab results. She was kind and gracious, but most of all friendly when I needed it most, when I had wavered in my hope of recovery and discharge and had lost hope unnecessarily.

 Mackenzie didn’t have to take the time she did to talk me down and calm me the way she did. She didn’t have to spend those extra few minutes the next morning when she brought me my medications to make sure I was still in a good space. She didn’t have to check on me after my blood work came back down that morning, and she certainly didn’t have to come and congratulate me after the retest came back normal.

Mackenzie Olger went above and beyond basic medical care and ensured my mental health was taken care of as well. She recognized the signs of mental distress and acted as quickly as she could to ensure I didn’t have a disparaging night.  Mackenzie stood out above all others for her exceptional care above and beyond the scope of her job duties.

In closing, just in case she gets to read this, the movie was “Labyrinth” starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly, and never forget it’s the little things that add up every day to an incredible journey through this life. Thank you so much for the care and attention you showed me when I needed it the most. You were a shining light amongst the dreariness of an extended hospital stay, a friend when needed, a nurse when needed, a caring and understanding when needed, and most of all, there when needed.

Through everything, just know that to me, you’ve earned this honor, along with my respect and gratitude. I hope that life brings you all the joy you could possibly hope for and then more. Thank you.