For 12 hours overnight in September, my nurse was Maryssa. I had a tough time being non-independent when it came to toileting. I had a non-weight bearing status in both legs, so I was to use only a bedpan. This brought a lot of emotion to the surface and at one point I started to cry. Maryssa asked me what was wrong, and I went on to explain to her about my late husband, who died in 2014 from pancreatic cancer. He had a lot of dignity and had expressed his concerns to me about having to wear a diaper. Yet days before he passed away, the hospice employees told him to just go in his diaper, as he was very frail and weak. I felt the same way when I was told to use a bedpan for bowel movements. I shared my room with another patient, and I felt too modest to do that. Maryssa shed some very much-needed light on my situation. She explained to me that my situation was only temporary, that soon I would be walking again and be more independent. Then she went and brought me a wheelchair, assisted me into the chair, and took me into the bathroom and helped me up to the toilet! For Maryssa to show me that much compassion and respect meant the world to me. And I know she risked a lot by taking a chance on me, but together we made it happen. I was so touched by her compassion that I tried very hard to not use my call light frivolously for the rest of the night. But, when the pain of my injuries came on strong again, Maryssa was right there, by my side.

I feel truly blessed to have been under her care. Maryssa is a great nurse. Professional, sharp as a tack, and a heart of gold. That is how I would describe her. She changed my outlook when I was feeling really down. She is a true DAISY Nurse. I tell people all the time how impressed I was with my stays at U of I Hospital. This time particularly–I have to say–Maryssa won my heart, and as long as I am alive, I will never forget that night. The night someone cared so much for my wellbeing, she was willing to step outside her comfort zone and into my heart forever.