I have an “Extraordinary Nurse” that I believe needs recognition for outstanding work. My ICU nurse went so far outside the box to comfort and care for me in my time of need.

I was bleeding in my lungs, still in my right state of mind. I had so many people in my room those first couple of days. Names and faces elude me for a moment. Over the course of the following week, she and I had formidable talks about my stay in the hospital and treatment plans. She really made me feel like part of her family. She was a nurse, and if she was walking past my room and I looked just confused or the slightest bit distressed, she would make it a point to stop and ask every time if I was doing okay. Then, she would ask if she could do or get anything for me. There was more than one occasion she would sit and talk to me about the anxiety instead of offering other pills or offering a bath or anything to help, like a hot or a cold drink. She is also a very proud person. She offered to do my hair after baths to keep the bi-pap machine from tangling in my hair. She did her best; but in the end, she requested the service of another nurse who was more than willing to help. Both girls did an awesome job of making sure not to cause me any pain.

During my last couple of days before being transferred to TCU, she was my nurse last and to end my ICU stay. She was a “5 star” all the way. Even took me to my new unit. Wished me well and gave me a huge hug. She then offered to check in on me the following week if I was still around.