It is hard to sum up everything that I am grateful for when it comes to my Mental Health Nurse, Michelle.

Not only did she save my life in 2022, but due to her clinical skills...my family has been included in my care and this has improved the quality of my life Michelle had started helping me with a 30 day med box and I would see Michelle every three weeks and go over medications for renewal and refill. One day, my son came with me to see my social worker at the Chico VA with concerns of me not taking my medications as directed and noticed I was more confused and slurring my speech that morning.

I guess Nurse Michelle must have been included in a note. Without ever physically seeing me that morning...Michelle called me and spoke with my son and me on speaker phone. She insisted that we call the advice nurse, and more than likely will need to go to the ER for Diabetic concerns. Michelle was right, and I was admitted for a blood sugar over 300 plus and possible brain encephalopathy.

When I was discharged, Michelle took as much time as my family and I needed to better understand Diabetes. She treated me and my family with the utmost respect. She went over diet, exercise, hydration, and why medications are so important.

Since my memory has been slowly slipping, Michelle has been helping me to learn how to give my hormone injections weekly, teaching me how to check my blood sugar and taking my blood pressure when needed for my Kidney Doctor.

Michelle is not just a Mental Health Nurse, she looks at the full picture and incorporates every angle to improve my health. I look forward to Tuesdays with Michelle. This gives me an opportunity to get out of the house, a time to be social, and to have a goal with my healthcare.

Life is precious, and I have been given another opportunity thanks to Michelle Angela, LVN, aka “Angel.”