Rylee was my nurse when I was first admitted to the ICCU. I had spent a long afternoon and night in the ER and was happy to finally be transferred to a hospital room. I was scared and unsure of what was happening with my life, and Rylee entered my room with a big smile. Every single time she came in to interact with me, she took time to explain everything that she was doing and made me feel like she would do anything that I needed at any time. She demonstrated great compassion and excellence in nursing with every interaction she had with me and my husband.

I was scheduled for some tests, including a cardiac MRI and cardiac catheterization. Rylee took the time to look into the needs and types of testing in order for me to make informed decisions about my insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor. She took her time and listened to me as I explained my concerns with having an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor that were unable to be on my body during such tests. When the transport came, I needed to remove my CGM transmitter and was having my husband try to help me. Riley stepped in and offered her assistance where she didn’t need to. She showed great interest in learning from me about my devices and, with a great big smile, said she would like to help if she could. With a warm smile, she listened as I explained the workaround to remove my transmitter from my sensor, and she took the credit card and went to work to unlock the transmitter. She listened to me as I explicitly tried to explain how to stick the credit card in between the sensor and the transmitter to unlock it. As I was ready to give up, thinking this was an impossible feat for someone who knew nothing about what I was trying to get done, she looked at me holding the little transmitter in her hand, saying, “Is this it?” and we were both so happy that she was actually able to do it! She was so excited that she was able to do something that she had never seen or done before. But even more, I truly believe that she was most excited to be of help to her patient!

These may seem like little insignificant things to someone who is not a type 1 diabetic, but as someone who relies on technology to stay safe and healthy, compassion and patience are something I will never forget. I only had nurse Rylee for a short time before being transferred to a different unit. I was very emotional with all that was happening with my health, and leaving Rylee was actually very sad for me. She was a consistent caregiver, a face I could rely on, and the bubbly personality I needed during the most difficult moments of my life. Rylee sent me off to the new unit, even explaining what needed to continue with my care after my cardiac cath. She educated me, so I could be an advocate of my own health needs! I spent five days at St. Luke’s as they worked up tests and a plan for my heart. I had an ICD implanted under my pectoral muscle. I received wonderful care from every person I had contact with. Yet Rylee was my light in the darkness. She demonstrated exceptional clinical expertise, extraordinary service, and unwavering compassionate care. I will always be grateful for that. Thank you, Rylee, from the bottom of my heart!