I arrived at Mountainview at 2 AM, straight from the airport to be with my uncle. Melissa greeted me when I got to the unit and updated me on his condition. She got me some juice and showed me where to put my luggage. She got me a blanket and pillow for the recliner in the room. This kindness I greatly appreciated as I was tired from a long flight, and I was feeling anxious that I wouldn't arrive in time to be with my uncle.

Whenever my uncle rang for the nurse, Melissa came in promptly, made eye contact with him and asked "what can I do to help you?" She didn't ask me first, which often happens, but she asked him. When he had a hard time speaking, or was in too much pain, she tried several ways to interpret his needs. She would write on paper with him or ask him to point to were it hurts. In one instance, she gave him an ice pack for his stomach, and waited with him to see if it helped, and then tried warm water packs made out of medical gloves.

She was patient, thoughtful, unhurried, and kind to us. If I had questions, or needed anything, she took the time to listen to my concerns, and slowly explained what was happening medically. At the end of her shift, she stopped by specifically to say goodbye, thanked me for coming as quickly as I could to be with him, and then thanked me for trusting her to take care of my uncle. I have been a social worker in a hospital, with hospice, and in healthcare for over 20 years, and I have never had an experience with a nurse like the one I had last night when Melissa took care of my uncle!