I have chronic migraines. Many people don’t understand or may look at someone like me as a drug-seeker, attention grabber, etc. I have struggled with migraines since I was 13, and I am 54. There were periods of my life when they were non-existent and periods like the cycle I seem to be in now, which is a daily battle.

At Mercy’s ER the PAs and nurses have gone out of their way to show me kindness and compassion on even their busiest nights/days. Patrick, who has taken care of me on several occasions, helped me from the waiting room into a room that was dark and quiet. He knew that lights are terrible for me. He was busy fielding requests from nurses, ambulances arriving and patients screaming obscenities at him, but he brought me a warm blanket, apologized for the unruly patient who was very loud, and said he would be back. I was in excruciating pain and very nauseous. I’ve learned in life that you cannot get upset over things you cannot control. I knew and trusted Patrick would be back whenever he could. He surprised me by coming back within 10 minutes with all of my doctor's ordered meds and a bag of fluids. He took his time, he wasn’t rushed, but was very competent and efficient. He talked in a quiet, reassuring voice to me. He did not dismiss my pain and took me very seriously. Patrick came back three times to see how I was doing. When I was ready to go home, he made sure I got out safely.

What I want to relay most from this visit is Patricks’s inherent qualities as a human being: compassion, care, empathy, kindness, knowledge of medicine, attention to a patient as a person, not just a number or a bed, and an efficient way of getting things done…all were clearly on display for my ER visit. When he couldn’t attend to me, he sent someone in to do what was needed. He always makes me feel taken care of rather than a burden. He is a treasure and I am blessed to have had him as my nurse.