Mary Baker
February 2022
Mary M
Baker
,
NP
Comprehensive Spine Center
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, East Hospital Outpatient Care East
Columbus
,
OH
United States
Mary was the most compassionate human being on earth to me at that time. She listened to me, she answered my long list of questions, and she empathized with me.
I have been an Oncology nurse for 23 years, an APRN for 13. I currently work at The James as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. In September 2021 I underwent a significant back surgery and had to be on the "other" side of healthcare. The surgery was much more than anticipated. I was admitted to the hospital longer than planned and I had a very "rocky" recovery. For at least six weeks I was in the most excruciating nerve pain. I had never experienced anything like this before in my life. I was on around the clock medication that made me feel like I was on a different planet.
A few weeks after discharging from the hospital at my follow up appointment was when I feel like God sent me Mary Baker. I went into the appointment thinking I would see the surgeon who was actually out of town. Instead, I saw his NP, Mary. I was an absolute disaster. I cried for one solid hour to Mary. I cried because I had pain, I cried because I was spending most days in bed, I cried because I could cry. Mary was the most compassionate human being on earth to me at that time. She listened to me, she answered my long list of questions, and she empathized with me. She made me feel like all of my concerns were very important. She never tried to rush me or make me feel unimportant. In fact, I am sure now that she spent so much time with me that I made her run late for the rest of her appointments for that day.
After that day Mary and I communicated weekly through "MYCHART", email, or by telephone. She would check on me if she didn't hear from me. She was truly "concerned" and it showed. We made weekly plans to wean my medications and she would ask how physical therapy was going. It was awful to be on the "other" side of medicine. I was so thankful that Mary was available, compassionate, and truly cared about my needs. I have small children and she knew how important it was for me to get back to some sort of normalcy. She treated me like an individual with specific needs and didn't just "herd" me on through. I am truly grateful that our paths crossed. She puts others' needs first. She is truly one of the most compassionate people that I have had the privilege of knowing.
A few weeks after discharging from the hospital at my follow up appointment was when I feel like God sent me Mary Baker. I went into the appointment thinking I would see the surgeon who was actually out of town. Instead, I saw his NP, Mary. I was an absolute disaster. I cried for one solid hour to Mary. I cried because I had pain, I cried because I was spending most days in bed, I cried because I could cry. Mary was the most compassionate human being on earth to me at that time. She listened to me, she answered my long list of questions, and she empathized with me. She made me feel like all of my concerns were very important. She never tried to rush me or make me feel unimportant. In fact, I am sure now that she spent so much time with me that I made her run late for the rest of her appointments for that day.
After that day Mary and I communicated weekly through "MYCHART", email, or by telephone. She would check on me if she didn't hear from me. She was truly "concerned" and it showed. We made weekly plans to wean my medications and she would ask how physical therapy was going. It was awful to be on the "other" side of medicine. I was so thankful that Mary was available, compassionate, and truly cared about my needs. I have small children and she knew how important it was for me to get back to some sort of normalcy. She treated me like an individual with specific needs and didn't just "herd" me on through. I am truly grateful that our paths crossed. She puts others' needs first. She is truly one of the most compassionate people that I have had the privilege of knowing.