I’m thrilled that Gerri is receiving recognition for her exceptional nursing skills. The very first time we met, I said I didn’t want to be in the hospital, and she told me to man up and not be such a crybaby. Our relationship grew from there.
I was especially heartened by the way she unfailingly took the side of the cat that bit me, which caused my infection, which eventually required surgery. With all the empathy and patience required of a superior healthcare provider, Gerri never hesitated to remind me that I was a total schmuck for picking the cat up when he was growling at me and that the whole damn thing was my fault. It was this sort of compassion that got me through my darkest hours.
In truth, Gerri was representative of the extraordinary care I received from all the nurses at UCLA Santa Monica. I can’t begin to express my gratitude for how the entire staff made a very difficult time in my life significantly easier. And judging from the email from readers I received in response to the column, I can say that nurses are held in the highest esteem by all patients. They’re the unsung heroes of our healthcare system.