After a week in southern Arizona, I arrived back to Brooklyn with an insect sting on my finger that swelled to look like a sausage or a cactus. After visiting the emergency room put on IV antibiotics and was admitted to the hospital. When at midnight I landed on 7 South RN Geri made me feel extremely welcome and put me at ease. She welcomed me as if I were a guest at a five-star hotel, not just a surprised and concerned patient worried about the possibility of emergency surgery the following morning. Nurse Gerri took the time to explain every aspect of the medication I was on and even the reason for the leg cuffs she wrapped around each of my calves. She helped me find the right position to reduce swelling in my finger overnight and she made me feel like a VIP. Being admitted to the hospital in the middle of the night after spending six hours in the emergency room could’ve been disorienting and depressing but Gerri's very warm demeanor made me feel like I was in the right place at the right time.

Her kindness, extreme competence, and care exceeded my expectations and were a key part of my healing. The fact that Gerri wrote her name on the whiteboard with a heart over the ”I” was a special touch that made me feel especially welcome. It was during the Olympics, and she encouraged me to watch some TV to help me reduce my anxiety and fall asleep. There are so many emotions that come with an unexpected hospitalization, especially in the time of Covid when my closest people were advised not to visit me. I am not usually a big TV person but that night I tuned in and was introduced to a new sport: women’s boxing which highlighted women who break barriers and exercise unusual physical emotional and spiritual strength. Exposure to these matches helped me harness my inner strength and the positive mental attitude needed for healing.

Gerri greeted me with a big smile in the early morning fresh as a daisy after an overnight shift. I told her about the women’s boxing match and how it had given me the needed oomph to envision not needing surgery. As it turned out the swelling on my finger had decreased enough by morning to avoid a medical procedure. Gerri's attention and expertise quelled my anxiety during an extremely scary overnight. I entered her unit feeling trepidatious and alone. She was an advocate and an ally whose acumen and skill made a frightening episode feel like a night at a spa.

Two months later as I reflect on this, I am ever grateful to Gerri for her extraordinary care. I know she had many other patients that night, most of whom likely had conditions more serious than my own nonetheless she made me feel catered to and cared for. I am ever grateful and strongly believe she is a DAISY Nurse for her extraordinary work and for adding extra love to each step of her work. Thank you so much.