Sarah Partyka, BSN, RN

After a PET scan abruptly changed my health outlook from generally fine to likely metastatic cancer at 38, I was scheduled for a rushed spinal biopsy under general anesthesia. Sarah P. called soon after to walk me through prep. With a grim outlook, stubborn attachment to independence, and limited support network in Seattle, I was scared and frustrated. On the phone with Sarah, I was prickly, unreasonable, and difficult. Sarah was unfalteringly patient with me, staying on what might have been a routine five-minute call for almost fifty minutes. On the day of the biopsy, Sarah recognized me and took my case, finding me in the pre-op area. I felt bad about my unpleasantness on the phone and started to apologize, but she deftly deflected that, steering the conversation to make me feel positive, relaxed, and welcome. I was happy to see and talk with Sarah. She was kind, forgiving, and helpful. Mentioning that my concerns had stuck with her, she showed me more local support resources that could be useful. She sought these on her own time, on the weekend, on her own initiative. As we spoke, she also just made me feel better -- I must have been transparently afraid, vulnerable, and out of my element, but she made me feel protected. After taking me to the theater and carefully prepping me, she held the anesthesia breathing mask. As the room faded, I was glad she was there. I'm thankful for Sarah's great compassion and for how she made me feel safe, cared for, and supported, even after I failed to approach her the same way.