Once admitted, I was treated with the utmost kindness, compassion, and expertise. Marcia went above and beyond in seeing me as a person who was somewhat alone and new in the community, in a scary situation, and needed a healing and compassionate touch beyond providing medical expertise. On the morning of my surgery, it was clear that I was anxious and nervous about the surgery. In short, I was unsettled. I was not in a very good place emotionally nor spiritually as everything was happening so quickly and my surgery was still a couple of hours away.
I had many thoughts racing through my head from trying to understand how I let my situation deteriorate to this moment in time to wonder if I would be leaving the hospital in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. Marcia spent a lot of time giving me the emotional support I needed and sat down at my bedside asking me if I wanted to pray with her. I felt like a tremendous burden was lifted from my worrying heart as we both remembered that we are all in God's hands. It was time to trust that He put me in the right spot with the right team to address my needs as a person, not as a spine surgery case, but as a whole person.
We prayed together and within 2 minutes after we finished, the OR team came to my room to get me a couple of hours early as the prior case was finishing up early. It was a sign. It was a relief. It was a powerful testament to the healing power of faith and at that moment I knew I was going to be okay. It was not until that moment that I had peace and comfort going into surgery. It was an incredible moment shared with an incredible human being.
Marcia exemplified the type of behaviors, values, and actions that are the basis of The DAISY Award. Whether she is recognized with the award or not, I want her to know that the nomination is from my heart and with my complete and utter gratitude for the difference she made in my life during a very trying time. My care at your hospital was tremendous, but the care I received from Marcia is something that will stay with me forever.
Marcia embodies the notion that nursing is a vocation...and every minute is a chance to make a difference in someone's life and bring us all closer together and closer to our Creator. I believe that now more than ever. I will also use my own experience to strive to support nursing and the patient experience throughout any health care organization that I can influence as a leader.
Thank you is just not enough, that is why I am nominating her for such a meaningful and prestigious honor.