I came to the ED by Ambulance with severe abdominal pain and difficulty breathing. I knew something was different about this from the beginning. My ED nurse was the calm to my storm that night. She treated me with compassion and truly listened to my concerns. She stood next to me and held my hand. I can't tell you how much that meant to me. I had so many thoughts running through my head about what could be wrong. The nurse also gave me a blood transfusion. I watched as she set up this difficult-looking device. I work in healthcare quality and often times I see mistakes by healthcare workers. The nurse had others check her work. There is no way she could have known what ease that would give me.
I have thought of this nurse a thousand times since my ED experience. I have thought of my experience while at my job. It has been a reminder to me that each patient brings so many fears and anxieties with them. We all have histories that affect our reactions to moments like this. Clinically, it may not have looked as if I was dying, but I felt like I was at the time. I'm so thankful for my nurse. For not losing sight of the humanity of this situation. For doing more than just her job. Paola is a very special nurse to have in an ED and I wish her all the best in her career. I hope she is reminded of this experience on difficult days and always remembers how much her kindness meant to me. I will do my best to spread it to others!