Tiffany was such a welcome sight and presence for me on one very hard night. I was recovering from lung cancer surgery and it was my third night in 5 Anderson. I had had a rough couple of days and I don't know if nights are difficult for all patients, but they are significantly more challenging than daytime hospital stays for me. Furthermore, my husband was at home recovering from COVID and I was alone. Coming in on the night shift, Tiffany was a calm, strong, confident, and competent presence in my room. My IVs were blown and I was afraid to let the day nurse replace them. I had refused meds and hidden my hands under the covers. Tiffany saw my fear. She sought out my hidden hands. She confirmed the need for my existing IVs to be relocated. She placed an order for an IV tech to come and replace them using ultrasound. I was still terrified, but under the pretense (I assume) of removing tape from my hand, she let me hold her hand while the tech did his work. When he finished with the first and prepared to leave (having only one order), she quickly put in a second order and talked with him while she got the OK for him to replace the second IV. This may be common practice, but I got the distinct impression that she was determined to keep him there and ensure that the second IV was replaced while I still had my nerve and confidence. It was a small gesture, but an important one.

And Tiffany's attention to my physical and emotional care didn't end there. The day shift was particularly busy and I had been asking to go for a walk since about lunch time. (Did I mention that I had a fear of blood clots, too?) Around midnight, after Tiffany had tended to all of her patients and their care settled, she came back to my room to take me for a walk. I'll never forget that walk. I may have been hallucinating a bit when I saw one of the nutcracker decorations in the hallway encourage me to ask Tiffany a simple and innocent question. But some questions aren't as simple as they might be on face value. While walking, Tiffany gave me an unexpected, honest and heartfelt answer. I won't go into detail, but suffice it to say that she shared a touching personal story as we walked laps around the unit. Her vulnerability and generosity was profound. It helped pull me out of my world and into her world. It meant so much to me. Words just can't convey the effect it had on me. She could have given me a superficial answer and a quick walk, but she didn't. She gave me the amazing gift of human connection. I am certain that in Christmases to come, the sight of a nutcracker will remind me of that conversation and her kindness and strength. I hope you will honor her with a DAISY Award--both to recognize her extraordinary efforts and as a model of strength, compassion, and competence for others.