The first morning Chris was my nurse, the previous night had been terrible; I couldn't breathe and I was in a lot of pain. I was unable to lie down or even sit with my feet up - no position was comfortable and I was grumpy. I had not slept the whole night and I was miserable. Instead of that causing Chris to shy away from interacting with me, he put his care and concern on full blast trying everything to make me comfortable. At one point in my care he stood over my bed and said to me "tell me what I can do to make you more comfortable and I will do it!" And boy did he try, always checking on me and making sure I didn't need anything. He was my nurse for 3 of 5 days and he remained awesome every day! Chris allowed me the autonomy to do what I could for myself while recognizing when I could use some encouragement to eat or take meds. At one point, I was a little tearful as I thought about how this was not what I had planned for myself or where I wanted to be. Chris comforted me even though I'm not even sure he realized how upset I was and offered me a hug which I welcomed so much.
I never once felt like a task on his to-do list - not one time. I could tell the unit was busy but had I not left my room I would not have known. I never felt hurried or rushed like he needed to be elsewhere. Not once did I feel like his head was somewhere else; he was right there with me fully engaged. I'm not sure the power of that can be conveyed on this paper, but when the medicine was not working and the only thing to heal me was time, Chris did. Chris being absolutely present and real with me made a measurable difference in my care. I felt like a person, his patient whom he expressed genuine care and concern for; I can't express the difference that made in my care! It truly added untold value to my recovery that has stuck with me even days after discharge. This nurse is an amazing asset to UCHealth and to his field. The world is certainly blessed by his choice of profession and by him simply being in it.
Chris, may your care and kindness be returned to you tenfold. I wish you the best of everything always. Thank you for being dedicated in all the ways you are caring, compassionate, knowledgeable, team-oriented, and in every other way!