Grace was a special person in my road to recovery. She was key to helping me advocate for myself and educating me about what and why things were happening with my treatment. I have Sickle Cell Beta Thalassemia and Asthma. On top of that, I was pregnant with Diabetes. Due to all these complications, I was hospitalized at Antepartum for about 3 weeks, and during that time Grace showed me compassion by listening to me and caring for me. She did things outside of her duty, like listening to me and reminding me of all the great things I had to look forward to because she remembered my stories and cared. When I cried, she was there first, when I got through a hurdle, she cheered me on. She advocated for me when I felt biased during my treatment. She did this by explaining how I felt to the Charge Nurse and to the Doctors. With her help, we were able to get other nurses to read more about sickle cell and its impacts and how to care for it. She helped open the gateway to have a conversation about bias that occurs with diseases like Sickle Cell, which is not prevalent in the Seattle area as the population impacted by it is low in numbers. Grace was always true to her profession and standards during my care, and I respected her for it. She did not do what I wanted, but rather what was best for me. She always explained the 'why' and 'what.' She kept me safe by making sure I knew what was happening with my treatment and that I felt comfortable and included. This helped me feel dignified as a member of my treatment team. It wasn't just the Doctors and Nurses watching and treating me; I was given a role as the patient to help make decisions.

Grace facilitated all this and made sure I felt included and understood. 1. She helped me feel safe and kept me comfortable at unbearable times of pain. 2. She left all biases at the door and was open to learning more about me and how she could help me. 3. She treated me as a friend and shared her beautiful stories with me as I shared mine. 4. She helped push me to the finish line as I successfully gave birth. I couldn't ask for a better nurse.

I cannot imagine what my admission at Antepartum would have been if it was not for Grace. I thank her, and my family thanks her. She will always be remembered by me as the woman who safely got me to my son's birthday. Without her, pregnancy in my small Antepartum room would have felt lonely and miserable. She made light when there was pain. Thank you!