When I called 911, I knew I couldn’t go on much longer. To make a long story short, because of my PREVIOUS Cardiologist ruling out cardiac twice, my general physician with the Mayo and I went down every other avenue. I was actually in severe cardiac failure. I am an adult congenital heart defect patient needing a heart valve replacement with conduit -- only the conduit was solid as a rock being calcified. I was holding 40 lbs of water. They did everything just to pull off what they could for surgery. One of the nurses who took care of me in the beginning was nurse Van Le. Bright, efficient with time, and very comforting. She took a genuine concern for my well-being. She would stop by every time she got a chance to look in on me and ask how I was doing after she cared for me. That meant everything to me. Sometimes it is hard to summate why a nurse made such an impact. Some things just go beyond words.

After step down I went to surgery, ICU then back to Step Down (4C). I was getting close to being discharged, and I was praying I would see nurse Van again. I DID!! I literally cried when she said she would be taking care of me the last two days I was there. My heart filled with joy. I had so much anxiety during the process, and she knew it. It was tangible. I have never been anxious like I was during my entire hospital stay. She gave me ideas of how she handled anxiety and they have helped immensely.

I just want to recognize nurse Van Le and the amazing nurse she is. She even gave me a little parting gift that further helped with my anxiety that she had received but decided to gift it to me. As far as I’m concerned Mayo is the best of the best in health care. A BIG reason why is the nurses who are chosen to be at the Mayo. So many beautiful, bright people. It was the nurses who gave me hope and strength to get through it all. Every nurse who took care of me was amazing in different ways. Thank you!