Nurse Tracy Arnold is the best nurse I've ever had! I was admitted to the hospital Neurology floor from the Emergency room after having a level 8/9 migraine headache for 4 days, no relief from Toradol shots and steroid shots the day before. Concerned that this might be a stroke, the neurologist ordered a CT scan and an MRI. I was admitted mid-afternoon and received the CT scan within a few hours. However, the MRI was rumored to be done as soon as possible, which might even have to be done in the wee hours of the morning, 2 am, for instance. Nurse Tracy informed us that she would continue to check to see if she could get me on the schedule quickly.

About 7 pm, her shift ended, and she had to let me transition to the night nurse, telling me she would return for her shift in the morning, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day. Note, overnight, we asked the night nurse how long the MRI would take once I was transported. She said I'd be in the machine for about 3 hours. I panicked inside, wondering how I'd be able to withstand this 9-level headache and lying flat on my back for 3 hours! When Nurse Tracy returned the next morning, I had not been able to sleep for the pain. No one had come for me to take me to the MRI. She immediately called the MRI department and asked for information.

The MRI tech said he would try to schedule me first that morning, as she had requested on my behalf. I'm sad to say, I was not taken that morning, but she didn't stop calling and checking until finally I was given the MRI early afternoon. I realize I might have gotten the MRI without her intervention, but she kept trying for me. Seeing her advocate for me in those hours of pain and suffering provided the hope that helped me mentally cope with all the delays. I like to think that she made a difference, and through her perseverance, she brought my pain to an end quicker than it might have come had she not been my nurse. Note, regarding the 3-hour MRI session, we asked Nurse Tracy how long the MRI would take. She assured us that maybe 20 minutes in the machine. I was so relieved! And it turns out it was exactly 20 minutes.

Nurse Tracy procured a sleeping mask for my eyes and light sensitivity, without me requesting it or complaining about the lights. She just knew! When Depakote medicine was prescribed for my IV to try to reduce my massive pain level 9 headache, she was unfamiliar with Depakote, so she researched it and read about its uses and possible side effects, laughing at the irony that one possible side effect was a headache when the med was being used to treat a massive migraine! Nurse Tracy explained she, too, had migraines from a previous shingles attack that permanently affected the left side of her face and neck, leaving her to battle migraines for which she takes Gabapentin, explaining how Gabapentin works in the brain to stop pain receptors. Turns out, Gabapentin was the first and only medicine that was effective at reducing my headache, and wasn't even attempted on me until the 3rd day. I think had Nurse Tracy had her way, it would've been the first medicine given to me to relieve my agony.

Nurse Tracy was proactive in bringing the various medicines to me as soon as it was permitted, along with ensuring the pharmacy would deliver them to the Neurology floor of the hospital so she could be "Johnny-on-the-spot," administering the pain-relieving medicine into my IV or offering the pills with water. Many times she would call the Neurology doctor to update him that my pain level was high and the headache was not relieved, without me asking her to. Part of the protocol for me was finger pricks to test for blood sugar levels, and if the levels were satisfactory for 24 hours, tests were canceled. However, the techs kept coming to do the tests, and Nurse Tracy kept trying to intercept them, to keep me from that unnecessary extra pain. I was classified as a fall risk because of my massive migraine and nausea, making the doctors want to rule out a possible stroke. Before they could rule out a stroke, I was restricted to my bed and required to ask for nurse assistance to go to the restroom. Nurse Tracy was always within 1 to 2 minutes of entering my room to ensure I safely left and returned to my bed.

When I came hobbling back to my bed, she would've already organized my twisted sheets, blankets, and pillows. And finally, did I tell you that she was never neglectful, even with the mundane chore of bringing me cups of water without delay, without fail, without me running out or even having to ask for more water? Nurse Tracy wasn't a sugary "how ya doin', honey?" type of person. Nurse Tracy knew her job, was competent, and exuded a confidence that she had it under control. Her confidence and competence, along with her demeanor, made me feel able to relax. We felt she could and would take care of me when I was wondering how I could cope with the unending pain. Surely she would take care of it! There were undoubtedly many more things she did for me that I didn't observe, was unaware of, or had forgotten. But I know this: Nurse Tracy is the best nurse I've ever had!