I was admitted to the unit with chest pains that turned out to be non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. I am 34 years old, but this was the first time I had been in the hospital without my mother (she was getting a shoulder replacement), and I was terrified. Not only because I was there alone (I did have visitors, but I was still mostly alone), but because I didn't know what was happening with my heart. Each test threw me into a new bout of tears and fears, and then Peggy came in. The entire department was absolutely amazing, but she took care of me in such a way that I didn't feel so alone or scared.

When I got a roommate who wasn't necessarily great for my recovery, she helped me get into a private room where I could be more comfortable both physically and emotionally. Peggy went above and beyond to mother me and make me feel less lost and afraid of what was happening to me. She was kind and gentle and understood my emotions and helped me deal with them. She also helped me understand what was happening. It was a lot of information all at once, and it was difficult to absorb all while trying to get better enough to go home. I was thrilled to learn she would be my nurse on my last day on the unit, partially because I didn't know if it would truly be my last day and partially because I wanted to thank her again for taking such good care of me.

I tried to "radiate positivity" every day I was there, despite being scared, in pain, and kind of alone, and Peggy helped me keep that positivity every time she came to check on me. I imagine I had more questions and difficulties than some other patients on the unit, but she was always incredibly patient with me and just so incredibly kind.