After a routine appointment with my OBGYN, I was sent to Labor & Delivery due to showing signs of severe preeclampsia.  I arrived at the hospital around 11:00 am and was told shortly after arrival that my tests showed I had developed HELLP Syndrome and that they needed to deliver my daughter at 27 weeks +3 days gestation.  At 3:00 pm my daughter was born via c-section delivery and immediately rushed to NICU.  Prior to being taken to the operating room, I was placed on a 24-hour magnesium drip.  Between the anesthesia and the magnesium, I was not feeling well and vomiting during surgery and in recovery.  Once I was finally stable enough to be moved to a room, I was blessed to have Lauren as my nurse.  She was so compassionate to not only myself, but my husband as we tried to process the early arrival of our daughter and my health.  Lauren made sure I was comfortable; she took the time to explain the hourly care she would be providing and made sure I had the number to the NICU in case I wanted to call for updates until I had Angel Eye access.  As promised, Lauren came in every hour to check my vitals and offered her assistance with any needs or questions we had.  She encouraged me to stand up and start walking when I was ready.  She also recommended I try using the binder, as these are helpful after delivery.  Before the end of Lauren's first shift taking care of me, I was wearing a binder and walking (with her supervision due to the magnesium)!  Lauren was my 7 pm-7 am nurse for my first 4 days.  She did an amazing job developing rapport with me and my husband.  During the 24-hour period, I had the magnesium drip, she took me to the NICU via wheelchair.  Seeing my baby in the NICU was scary and intimidating.  Lauren never made me feel rushed.  She encouraged me to take my time, bond, and ask any questions that I had. She even found me a pack of gum to chew due to the intermittent nausea I was experiencing!  At the start of each shift, Lauren would ask me about my daughter.  She expressed empathy, showed compassion, and offered words of encouragement.  I told her many times that she literally nursed me back to health!  While I needed help getting my blood pressure under control, Lauren understood my first priority was my daughter's health.  She did a great job balancing both of our healthcare needs while reassuring me that my daughter was receiving the best care.  Lauren is an amazing woman!  Her bedside manner is unmatched, and she is deserving of recognition.  In my heart I feel she loves what she does and being a nurse is not her job, but a career in which she thrives!