I would like to thank Shannon Bankester for her dedication to the nursing profession and her display of passion and care for me while in Thomas Hospital recently. Over my 71 years of having nurses care for me through two scoliosis surgeries, trips to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and multiple hospital stays for a month-long stay, I never had a nurse show so much compassion and a can-do attitude like Shannon provided to me. A few examples specifically come to mind; (1) following a brief visit by my newly appointed Gastroenterologist to my hospital room to formulate what needed to be done to correct my colon condition and bleeding, he was going to send me home to await a later date to perform a needed colonoscopy. Shannon knew I was still passing blood pretty heavily and relayed this to my doctor, who had not understood this during our brief meeting. He decided to schedule the procedure for the next day. If Shannon had not stepped up as my advocate that day, I would not be in the good shape I am today. I am so thankful for her insight and initiative that day to turn around the situation to get me diagnosed correctly. Ultimately, I was diagnosed with colitis. (2) Another issue where she helped me was to calm my anxiety following three unsuccessful blood draw attempts by two ladies who came to my room to collect the routine blood. I was in pain following each attempt to draw from one arm and then enduring the second lab person trying the other arm unsuccessfully. I asked them to stop because it hurt too much. They left, and I cried, which I’ve never done, due to this anxiety-causing attempt (which Shannon witnessed). A short while later, Shannon reappeared and asked if I would let her try to draw the needed blood. She was so gentle and reassuring in giving it a try. She was successful on the first attempt, unlike the second lab personnel. (3) On the 4th day of my stay, I experienced severe back pain. Shannon was on duty that day and saw the problem I was having, so she left my room only to appear a few minutes later with a blow-up mattress pad. I had the best rest during that evening, with no pain. As a sidebar, she even took a few minutes one day to water a flower arrangement I had received days earlier. No other nurse or tech had ever offered to do this. Words cannot fully describe my gratitude for the nursing skill and compassion that Shannon displayed to me. She took the time to explain the details of any test, bloodwork, or procedure (which is something I always want to know). Her very presence had a healing effect on me. I felt reassured all would be okay once I was home. My sincere gratitude and many thanks to Shannon for using her nursing skills beyond any I have ever received. I graciously nominate Shannon for this deserving DAISY Award.

**This is Shannon's 2nd DAISY Award!