Melissa has a warm bedside manner and went above and beyond to make sure my recovery after the surgery all the way up to exiting the hospital was without discomfort and seamless. I had a bunionectomy on my dominant foot and a modified McBride on the other foot. So I wasn’t supposed to bear any weight on the dominant foot and had to make sure I used my heel of the alternate foot to catch my weight. When I was being released from recovery Melissa helped me. Another kind nurse put a bottle of water in my bag for the ride home. Melissa wanted to make sure I had all my belongings before I left. When she looked into my bag she noticed my discharge papers were soaked from the water. She insisted on reprinting the whole pamphlet of discharge papers so that I would have them. I was grateful for this because I have relied on those printouts to make sure I’m taking the meds I’m supposed to be taking and other instructions given by my doctor.

My well-intentioned husband was waiting for me outside. Our home is approximately an hour's drive away from HSS. I asked the nurse if I could have a pillow and blanket for the ride home. She grabbed my walker, pillows, and blankets and pushed me out to the pick-up area where my husband was waiting with our Jeep. We have 2 beautiful Golden Retrievers who usually are in the back so the back seat has a cover over it. My well-intentioned husband thought I was riding in the front seat so didn’t prepare the back area. Melissa did what my husband didn’t know to do. She crawled into our jeep, took the dog seat cover off, set up my pillows so my feet were elevated, and covered me with the blankets so I was warm and comfortable for the ride home. My husband watched in awe and in gratitude. She didn’t have to do this. She could have handed him my things perhaps soaking wet and gone on to her next task. She didn’t because my well being even after my discharge was her goal. My husband was happy because someone helped him to make sure I was ok. I was happy because I was being cared for when I needed it. Meaningful difference? Absolutely. Above and beyond? Without question.

This is my second operation at HSS. My experience on the day of both surgeries has been remarkable. So I wouldn’t be surprised if there are a lot of entries for outstanding nurses. I hope they are all recognized. They deserve it. It’s not an easy job. Melissa made a difference in my life and went above and beyond the call of a nurse.