I was a relatively healthy person for the past 50 years of my life until recently receiving my cancer diagnosis forcing me to have my first major surgical procedure and first ever admittance to a hospital. Needless to say, the experience was extremely anxiety producing for me and my family, so it was a blessing to have such a compassionate and knowledgeable nurse attending to my daily needs and providing encouragement while I recuperated from surgery.

While I probably did not require as much medical care and attention as other patients on the floor, I was a bit of an emotional wreck so having such a skilled and attentive nurse as Natia tend to my care certainly eased my stress level and kept me upbeat. This attention along with her advocacy on my behalf with my surgical team played a significant role in having me released a full day prior to what my doctors had previously expected. I felt good and was exceeding all recovery criteria. Natia recognized this and after conferring with me, she called my surgical team to have them consider me for discharge. My surgeon visited me later that day, agreed I was ready, and sent me packing! I have no doubt that it was the right call, as I sit here 1 week after surgery, I feel great.

Lastly, I have to commend Natia for her ability to convince me that I was more capable of giving myself a daily heparin shot at home. To say that I don't like needles is an understatement, a feeling probably shared by many others, but Natia walked me through it, basically holding my hand while I gave myself my first injection prior to discharge. My first solo injection at home the next day was a breeze and it no longer phases me.

I was generally pleased with the care I received from all of the staff during my stay, but Natia stood out above the rest. She is one of a kind.