About every 3 weeks (give or take), I had to come to Baptist for platelet transfusions. Rena was the first nurse who took care of me. I always ask if she’s there or request to have her as my nurse while I’m there if at all possible. She always goes above and beyond for her patients; she’s one of the kindest, most compassionate people and it shows in her work! She always makes sure I have everything I need, whether it’s a warm blanket, something to drink, a good snack, or dimming the lights for me if I have a headache; and that’s all on top of her regular nurse duties!

One day, I had to receive treatment when I was not expecting it. I had to have an IVIg infusion at the cancer center which lasted several hours before coming over to the hospital for platelets. I had not had anything to eat all day and the cafeteria at the hospital wasn’t open for supper for some reason. After expressing this, Rena was sweet enough to pick up a pizza for me and my mama when she got off work and bring it back to the hospital so we would have something to eat! I know she had to be tired after a long day and she didn’t have to do it, but she went out of her way to make sure we had a hot meal.

Another day before this, I had expressed my love for MSU and MSU baseball to her (at nearly every appointment I wear an MSU shirt). It turns out her nephew plays baseball for MSU and so happens to be one of my favorite players! Well, at one of my next visits, she surprised me with a signed baseball hat from her nephew. It completely made my day! Some people just don’t understand how acts of kindness like that can really make an impact on someone, especially a person like me who goes through so much all the time. I am truly thankful for her and all she does for me. She is a wonderful person and an even more incredible nurse.