Mary Shipstead
May 2026
Mary
Shipstead
,
RN
Blanchfield Army Community Hospital
Fort Campbell
,
KY
United States
Mary Anne said she was happy my pain was better because it broke her heart that I was hurting so badly.
I had an ACL surgery today. I loved Mary Anne Shipstead so much I couldn’t wait to get in the car and send this email.
When I woke up from surgery, I was very groggy, and Mary Anne was right next to me when I woke up. However, when I woke up, I felt an immense level of pain. I would say 7/10. I asked her if it was normal, and she said I have a nerve block, so I shouldn’t be at a 7. She offered me Dilaudid, and I immediately accepted, feeling the pain get worse. The Dilaudid did nothing for me, and at this point, I was shaking and crying as my pain had reached a 10.
Mary Anne immediately called the doctor, asking if we could do another nerve block and explaining the severity of my pain. He agreed, and the man who does the nerve block came immediately (he was great also). At this point, while everything was getting prepped, I was crying and shaking. Marry Anne covered me in warmed blankets, and she helped me with my breathing as she held my hand and stroked my hair. She tried distracting me from the pain as I was shaking and crying by asking me about my daughter and telling me about herself.
After the block, I was still in pain at about a 4, and she gave me fentanyl because she wanted to be sure my pain was at a zero. Mary Anne then wiped my tears and brought me some ice chips to munch on. We then chatted about her kids and her life, as well as mine, which brought me so much comfort. Mary Anne said she was happy my pain was better because it broke her heart that I was hurting so badly. She told me her son is 24 and I’m 26, and so her motherly instincts were kicking in. She brought me back to my room herself and gave me a big hug. She wished me luck on my recovery and asked me to let her know if I needed anything. Not only that but for the remainder of my time there she stopped by 2 times to give me 2 more hugs.
I will never forget the compassion and kindness she showed me. I was in an immense amount of pain, and she didn’t judge me once. She held my hand and cared for me like she was my mom. She made an awful, scary situation an enjoyable one. Everyone on my team today was great, making sure I was comfortable and safe. They left me well educated and answered my questions without any hesitation. But Mary Anne really stood out to me. I will never forget her. She was definitely born to be a nurse.
When I woke up from surgery, I was very groggy, and Mary Anne was right next to me when I woke up. However, when I woke up, I felt an immense level of pain. I would say 7/10. I asked her if it was normal, and she said I have a nerve block, so I shouldn’t be at a 7. She offered me Dilaudid, and I immediately accepted, feeling the pain get worse. The Dilaudid did nothing for me, and at this point, I was shaking and crying as my pain had reached a 10.
Mary Anne immediately called the doctor, asking if we could do another nerve block and explaining the severity of my pain. He agreed, and the man who does the nerve block came immediately (he was great also). At this point, while everything was getting prepped, I was crying and shaking. Marry Anne covered me in warmed blankets, and she helped me with my breathing as she held my hand and stroked my hair. She tried distracting me from the pain as I was shaking and crying by asking me about my daughter and telling me about herself.
After the block, I was still in pain at about a 4, and she gave me fentanyl because she wanted to be sure my pain was at a zero. Mary Anne then wiped my tears and brought me some ice chips to munch on. We then chatted about her kids and her life, as well as mine, which brought me so much comfort. Mary Anne said she was happy my pain was better because it broke her heart that I was hurting so badly. She told me her son is 24 and I’m 26, and so her motherly instincts were kicking in. She brought me back to my room herself and gave me a big hug. She wished me luck on my recovery and asked me to let her know if I needed anything. Not only that but for the remainder of my time there she stopped by 2 times to give me 2 more hugs.
I will never forget the compassion and kindness she showed me. I was in an immense amount of pain, and she didn’t judge me once. She held my hand and cared for me like she was my mom. She made an awful, scary situation an enjoyable one. Everyone on my team today was great, making sure I was comfortable and safe. They left me well educated and answered my questions without any hesitation. But Mary Anne really stood out to me. I will never forget her. She was definitely born to be a nurse.