I was 19, (20 now) when I was admitted to UC Davis Medical Center after my pancreatic surgery; all of my nurses have provided me with exceptional care. But what sticks with me to this day, was when Marlene helped me shower for the first time in over a month or so. I had not been able to care for myself for 3 months. She sat with me for over an hour helping me get clean and feeling refreshed, but what brings tears to my eyes while writing this now, was when she was detangling my matted hair. I had neglected it due to being in so much pain and it was the last thing on my mind and my family's.

Marlene sat with me in the shower and detangled my hair so gently and carefully. Because I became septic I lost a lot of my hair. I wanted to look down because I just felt it fall to the ground as she brushed it, but she never let me look. I got a glance and gasped to myself. She reminded me that it would grow back. I can’t forget how sweet she was to me. Every day I wake up and I am grateful for nurses like her. Every single day that she was with me she was so attentive to me and my family. I want nothing but blessings in her life. God knows she deserves it.