I have gone through kidney stones, surgery, kidney infections, bladder infections, severe constipation, shakiness, dizziness, not eating, not sleeping, and barely drinking. I mean, everything one could possibly think of has been happening for me. I have been in and out of the hospital more times than I can count in two weeks, very upset, very depressed.

Yesterday I was at my absolute breaking point. I had already been in the ER, as stated multiple times, plus my surgery went wrong. The stent removal was not easy when I tell you I walked into the emergency room like a zombie yesterday, and this beautiful smiling Nurse had me laughing in minutes, and so comfortable it could actually bring tears to my eyes, I mean it. I laughed so hard. She was so funny, so nice, and one of the first things she said when she walked into my room was, “You know your body, you tell me what’s going on? How can I help you?”

I can’t tell you the endless number of times I’ve been told by nurses or doctors or phlebotomists how many years they’ve been doing this, and they know this, and they know this, and it’s very disrespectful when you know your own body and won’t be heard. This woman was the complete opposite of burnout, disrespect, anger, or tiredness! She was exactly the opposite, everything positive.

You are a very special kind of nurse, Rachel, and don’t ever lose that spark, compassion, and love for your job and patients! Their work needs more good souls in healthcare, and Aspirus definitely has one here. Thank you so much for being a light in a very dark and dim situation!