Darren was my post-op nurse, and although all the care at UW Health has been phenomenal, I will never forget Darren. My experience with him started when I woke up after surgery, and I could hear him and my dad talking. My dad was feeding me crackers, as I was coherent but not fully awake. Darren is so compassionate and kind, and he even laughed when I burped after waking up. He took the time to get to know me, and we even bonded over the fact that we're from the same small town. The most important thing he did for me was to alleviate my fears of leaving the hospital too early.
This was my third surgery, and the first one I ever had made me extremely nauseous, and the hospital made me leave too early (not UW). Darren believed me when I said I was still nauseous and not comfortable with going home. I don't remember him ever leaving the room; it meant a lot to me that he was there for absolutely whatever I needed because post-op can be more difficult than pre-op for me as a patient.
Before I was discharged, he made sure I was 100% comfortable with leaving, and he ensured my dad and I both understood the post-op instructions. Some of my favorite health professionals are the ones who talk to me, and not just my parents; Darren was speaking to both of us, not just my dad. He didn't even tell my dad he could get the car before I felt alert and confident with what was happening. I genuinely believe that Darren is in the right profession and being a surgical nurse could not fit him better.
Darren is the best nurse, and one of the best overall healthcare professionals, I've ever worked with, and I am truly grateful for him and the care he provides at UW Health at The American Center.