Most of the time my experiences with the nurses of City of Hope have been wonderful, but short-lived as they cared for me as an inpatient or took vitals during an office visit. In my opinion, the sign of excellence in a nurse is when a patient and a nurse are able to develop an emotional connection. My connection/relationship with Martha Lajpop began about a year ago and continues to this day. I had come to the Women's Center for an appointment with my oncologist. It was supposed to just be a follow-up after completing chemotherapy the month before. It turned out to be so much more. My labs indicated all kinds of worrisome numbers on many indicators. After my initial examination, Martha followed through with several tests ordered by my doctor to try to figure out what was going on with me. Going back and forth with the doctor, the battery of tests lasted all afternoon until we finally went home around 8:00 that night. Even though she obviously had many other patients, Martha continued to check in with me the entire time being the very last one to leave the clinic. With no definitive diagnosis, I returned the next morning when Martha helped me get into ETC. I was eventually admitted to the hospital where I stayed for the next 10 days with an abdominal infection. It was her compassionate and dedicated care that helped me get the treatment that I needed. I call her "My Angel".