I was admitted to 2S after experiencing severe abdominal pain, which I later found out was diverticulitis. My unexpected illness found me at a time in my life when I was not only experiencing physical pain but also emotional and mental pain because I had just recently lost a very important person in my life. I was extremely vulnerable and my anxiety was at an all-time high. I cried frequently while I was here, asked questions that were probably annoying, and continually worried about what was happening to me.

During my stay, there was one particular nurse that calmed my fears and made me feel relaxed and comforted when I knew that nurse was there. This nurse had a lot of responsibilities during their shift but always found time to come to my room and say hello before their shift, check on me through the night, and before they left came, and said goodbye to me and let me know they would be coming back the next day. What I want everyone to know is that a lot of times patients are lying in their beds feeling sad, scared, and frustrated because they have no control over what is happening to them, and you are the person that they will either continue to lay in bed frustrated over or the person they look forward to seeing during your shift.

This sweet, friendly, and compassionate nurse was that person for me. I had a lot of scary moments while I was here, one, in particular, was during my morning blood draws. I know everyone is thinking is she really scared of a blood draw? The answer is yes, I am. This morning my assigned nurse was having difficulty drawing my blood, I started to panic and asked if she could call for help. “Help” walked into my room and asked, "Is everything ok?" When he saw my face he knew I was freaking out! He came over hugged me and said, “Don’t worry I got you.” He told my nurse, "Let me show you how to help," he used this scary time as a teaching moment for someone who was struggling. He ran and got a vein finder and showed her how to use it, he pointed it at my vein and said, "Look there it is can you see it?" Then asked me, “Can I draw your blood?" I wasn’t scared anymore, I really wasn’t, and it was over before I knew it. I wanted to use this example to tell you all how important it is to listen and have a connection with your patients, it makes the difference between them being scared, anxious, and vulnerable or feeling safe and supported. The day I was leaving he came in and said goodbye to me, I apologized for crying and acting like a baby. He said, "Don’t worry ma'am, crying is expected, you were sick." He gave me permission for feeling the way that I felt and made me feel happy and cared for. Thank you, Eky, for caring for me like family.