My name is M and I will be 73 in August. I had surgery for rectal prolapse at Wesley Long recently. There were complications - I have a temporary ileostomy. I was doing pretty well until one night I began having severe stomach pain - it kept me up all night. Sunday was even worse, but because of the coronavirus, I was afraid to go to the ER. I was up again all night Sunday. Finally, Mon PM, my doctor sent me to the ER! After many more hours of pain, it was determined I had a blockage and I was admitted. Again, awake all night and in awful pain. Tuesday was a blur - but Wed AM a bright, funny lady came into my room wearing a 'St. Pat's crown' - by this time I was an emotional and physical wreak - allowed no visitors - very much alone, scared and in terrible pain - no sleep since Friday night - then I saw that crown this nurse was wearing and I laughed out loud - the first laugh in many days - and she was bubbly, silly, laughing and instantly made me feel better. But there was a big increase in new patients. Soon, another nurse came into my room and said she was my 'new nurse' called into work because of the rush of new patients. I was instantly changed - I had begun to believe things would get better - the tears I had cried since Sat night were just poised, ready to fall at every moment - and fall, they did. I have never cried so much because of being so sick!! And, I had seen this nurse that night and she said she'd try to be my nurse the next day. And she was - and I was a worse wreck. Immediately, she realized I needed 'special attention', and every time she entered my room it was like she brought the sunshine in. And she went way beyond her 'regular duty'. She went to the OR for the 'IV Spray' they use to numb the skin during IV procedure - my IV had to be moved (infiltrated) and I did not want the 'IV Team' to do it - the one being replaced was put in the day before by 'the IV Team' and she was very rough. I know I was crying because she really hurt me. This nurse was doing everything she could think of to help, never stressed and very soothing in body language as well as words. And she was the only person while I was there (Mon - Friday) who straightened my bed covers (several blankets) while I was in the bathroom - just like I remember about how things used to be. She definitely reminds me of how nurses used to put a bit more of their empathetic and caring ways - may sound 'corny', but I was the patient and this is how this nurse went way past her job description to comfort, with humor, a 'little old lady' who desperately needed the 'nurses' touch and TLC. She was the brightness in my darkness. If she's such a wonderful nurse to me, how can she not be to every one of her patients - maybe I was especially needy, but I believe this nurse was just being herself.