I came into the hospital for a bowel resection. My evening nurse was Laura, who introduced herself with a big smile and a great attitude. That night she helped me get ready for bed and told me to call her if I needed anything. After a while, I relaxed enough to fall asleep and that is when my med pump bells went off. I called her and she came and turned them off and asked how I was doing. Every time I fell asleep the bells would go off. I started getting very upset and told her to either turn the bells off or lower them so that they didn't wake me. Each time this happened, Laura would patiently explain to me the purpose of the bells and why she couldn't turn them off. She explained that they were for my safety. She explained that my respirations were getting too low and the bells woke me up so that I would breathe again. This went on for quite a while. I would call her in and beg her to please turn the bells completely off so that I could just sleep. At one point, I even suggested that she take me off the machine and wheel my bed down to the nursing station so that she could wake me if I stopped breathing (embarrassing, I know). Once again, she was very patient with me and explained that I wasn't the only patient on the floor. I think that at that point I realized how irrational I had been. She was a great role model for me.
The next day I was concerned that maybe when Laura came in for her next shift she would be mad at me or be unkind. I couldn't have been more wrong. She came in with a smile and kind words. She asked me how I was and was genuinely concerned about me. We talked about the night before and all that had happened. She explained everything again to me with great patience. Later that afternoon I told her how I was having such a bad headache. She asked me if I was a coffee drinker. I said I was, and that I always had at least 2 cups every morning. She thought that might be why I was having such a bad headache. She got me a cup of coffee and within 15 minutes my headache was gone. Once again, she proved to be my hero.
I believe that Laura showed me extraordinary care when I was being irrational and very emotional. She remained professional and kind. She went the extra mile with me and I am grateful.