I was admitted for excess pericardial fluid and underwent pericardial window surgery during my stay. I also have severe rheumatoid arthritis which I've been afflicted with since the age of 17. Both of my parents, my grandmother and my sister were, or are RNs so I'm quite familiar with the medical setting. I had many wonderful nurses during my stay, and I believe that Sean P. Orton went above and beyond in his level of care for me.

I know the nursing staff works so hard and are so busy, and Sean never made me feel like a bother or a burden. He was so on top of my medications and kept me comfortable. He was truly a joy to be treated by. Sometimes being in the hospital for a while can begin to feel a bit dehumanizing, but Sean was so warm and caring. I never felt like "just another body" with him. I felt like a human being in the care of an exceptionally kind and comforting other human being.

One small example of his exceptional nursing/bedside manner was in talking to him the first night he treated me. I still had an extremely uncomfortable/painful chest tube draining the pericardial fluid and it had prevented me from getting any kind of quality sleep, which we all know is necessary in order to heal. Sean sat down with me and assured me that he would do everything in his power to keep me comfortable and allow me to sleep. He kept his promises, providing me with the medication I needed at the intervals I needed; checked in on me consistently, truly making me feel comfortable. I slept like a baby that night. I was so happy to see that I had him the next night as well. He was just as wonderful that night also, and again I got exceptional sleep. I freely discussed with my loved ones what a Godsend he was. Perhaps my story is not as dramatic as some, but in a sea of pokes and prods and pain, Sean was a comforting, caring safe haven who I trusted immediately. He is a gift to this hospital, the floor where he works and a gift to me. Thank you, Freeman, for blessing me with such a wonderful nurse!