Abby took incredibly good care of me after my emergency D&C following a scary hemorrhage when I was 8 days postpartum. She anticipated my needs so well! I didn't have to think about what might make me more comfortable and ask for it; Abby was already there with heated blankets, food and drink options, and a watchful eye to catch me when I fainted using the toilet. In all of the potentially awkward and un-lovely physical realities of reproductive surgery, Abby was so matter-of-fact and cheerful that I never once felt remotely uncomfortable or embarrassed.
Abby empathized with my pain, sharing her own experiences with childbirth and helping me feel understood while still focusing on my medical care. In the most meaningful and impactful example by far, Abby let me know that there would be a small window of time in between my post-op checks and my transfer upstairs to be admitted when my husband could come from home and visit me. Due to COVID related restrictions, he hadn't been able to come in the ambulance with me or be with me in the Emergency Department, and he wouldn't be able to be with me once I was admitted either, but in surgical recovery, he could sit with me for an hour or so and see that I was ok. This was more meaningful and emotionally supportive than any medical treatment available, and we wouldn't have known it was an option if it hadn't been for Abby.
In addition to being an incredibly competent, knowledgeable, and trustworthy caregiver, Abby felt like a friend. She laughed with me, got to know me, and allowed me to get to know her too. She made my hours-long stay in the recovery unit fly by. And then to top it off, later that evening when she had another patient to deliver to my floor, she stepped into my room just to say hi and see how I was doing. I will always be so thankful that Abby was the one to care for me in such a scary and vulnerable moment of my life.