Tabetha was a breath of fresh air when, for me, at pain level 8, I came onto her floor for care. She immediately made me comfortable and was very upbeat and happy. She gave me hope after a terrible ambulance delivery to the hospital and long stay in the ER. I felt no one really understood this is my 4th spinal problem, and everything I've done and tried could not get me out of this pain. How could anyone care? Even my own family is tired of it. I understand that, so you can see I was not expecting anyone else to really care about what I was going through, either. After all, other hospitals in the past have proven to me it's a fight to stay alive as traveling nurses come and go, and no rapport is ever built to help a patient feel really cared for.

Tabetha greeted me with a big smile, took the bed boldly, and air bagged me over onto the bed like she owned the place. I am 6'4" and a large size man, and to say I was impressed with this little Mighty Mouse would be an understatement. She had my attention from the moment I met her. Immediately, I felt she was different and had to be real. I was desperate for care! Desperate at level 8 pain. She got right to work on my IV and checked out all records, reviewed this with me, and then began to manage my pain levels. As my anxiety began to pull back a bit my hope turned quickly into confidence in this nurse. Who was this spitfire of an RN, and why would she do all this for me? I'm not used to this. The last hospital I was in 4 months ago was rough, to say the least. Care was not like this. I was greatly surprised and thought for the first time that maybe I could get help with this pain.

After Tabetha got me comfortable and settled in, she ran off on her other duties, only to return five more times within an hour just to check on me. It was if she wanted me to know she was in my corner and not to worry. She could tell I was not trusting anyone with my pain and her attention calmed my nerves. Every time she entered the room with that chipper smile and wonderful demeanor, it just got me to smile. It's natural for her! She loves to serve. I truly felt she enjoyed getting me out of a bad mood and winning me over to face the pain again and not to give up. As she listened to me, my respect for her grew. She would repeat to me the concerns I had. She helps me understand some things better, and that helps resolve my fears. She spoke highly of all the medical professionals here and especially the surgeon looking into my complex surgery. Her positivity just kept pulling me out of my funk. When the doctor came in that morning and spoke to me, he asked if I was on painkillers yet. I was on one, but he suggested oxy as well to bring pain down more because it was approved on the list. I have a lot of allergies, starting with penicillin and sulfa drugs, plus numerous other things. But I've never had a problem with oxy before. I was administered the oxy, and within a few hours, slowly, my skin began to hive up and itched all over. The hives got bigger, then my lips started swelling up, and I could not speak very well. Fully in pain for weeks, I didn't even realize the trouble I could be in. I had a minister visiting with me at the time and as he left, I looked at my hands swollen and hives and was starting to worry now. Still unaware of the danger, I tried to sit up. My pain was always at least a 7 level as I dealt with something new out of the blue. Again, it came on 4 hours after being administered it, so it caught me off guard. I'm already scared to death of facing surgery that is so complex that it cannot be arranged quickly, and I can see in the highly trained and experienced neurosurgeons’ eyes even he is concerned. It's not an easy fix. It's no joke my quality of life could be gone forever! My anxiety began to rise as I tried to handle this new drug reaction on my own. My lips were very swollen now as well. Just as I began to feel my throat start to close in on me, in walks my angel guardian with a small flashlight she carries, of course all nurses I'm sure are required to carry this in their pockets... cause the room was dark. My anxiety quickly hit the ceiling as breathing became difficult. I was in trouble, and now I knew it.

Tabetha knew exactly what was going on and quickly responded with reassurance and no bull. I could tell she was in charge and knew what to do to keep me calm. The walls were closing in on me. I knew now I waited too long to try to get help. She was not even supposed to stop back in my room for another hour yet, but she did because she knew she was making a big difference with me and her chipper attitude. She cares! She acted quickly and took off my neck brace to help me free more open space. She analyzed from the medical wall chart what it could be and concluded quickly it had to be the last oxy injection, she administered IV Benadryl stat and talked me through what was happening and perhaps why. She stayed with me to make sure every minute it was reversing. As it began to work, she took the necessary steps to report, record, and protect me from those experiences again. She told me the steps she was taking and why all the time, reassuring me I was all right now.

I've cried maybe a handful of times in my life. But that night, long after the crisis was averted, I was alone in the dark late at night with a lightning storm out my window lighting up the mountains, and with pain under control and great care given, I broke down, facing the unknown consequences of surgery. I was more emotional than a man should be, but the floodgates were open, and I could not stop it. Not being able to breathe brought me to a reflection of the end of my life. I thought about all the things I had to have for my family to survive without me. Did I have them prepared? I texted everyone one of them my love and told them I expected them to thrive in this life. Naturally, I scared the heck out of them unintentionally. In the morning, I got lots of responses and calls regarding my message. But alone in my depressed state I stared out at the storm and really began to think my time was limited. I continued to sob like a child. I could not hold back these emotions. I hate weakness, and yet here I was at rock bottom really with no way out of these feelings when, in bounds, Tabatha with another caring tech and saw the state I was in. Lights went on, and she quickly grabbed my hand and held it tight while reassuring me it was all right to feel this stress release.

As I write this, tears are flowing again but for reasons other than fear. Tears of joy for someone who showed me great compassion at the exact moment I needed it. She held my hand and gave me great hope on the pending mountain trail I have to climb. Tabatha is special and truly a great caregiver and advocate for her patients! I feel she saved me in my lowest hour of need. I will never forget her care over these past few days. I love her spirit and desire to help others. Man, I cannot express how low I was and how fast she pulled me back to reality and filled me with hope to fight to survive. Finding that in a caregiver is rare indeed, and I feel grateful for her sincere care of me. A lone man she just met with grave problems to solve and she has limited time with me in this medical system of ours, but somehow, with all her duties, hospital protocols, meetings, charting, immediate contact with that hanging phone device on her neck, not to mention her solid advocate for me behind the walls I cannot see, SHE STILL HAD TIME FOR THE NEEDS OF HER PATIENT! I will never forget her loving care of me over these past few days. It's been a real pleasure to know I have been in the best care I could have hoped to find and that is the greatest reflection of the quality of this hospital. Nothing but praise for TABETHA. I feel I need to do better because of her example. She's a keeper, people. I'm telling you straight up she is better than best. She knows her stuff and acts quickly to solve real issues but then is still able to calm a desperate soul. I'll never forget the care I received at this hospital because of this very well-trained RN with the greatest smile and chipper attitude in the world. Bless her! She is the best class of nurse ever. Signed by a sincerely changed patient.