I am an 83-year-old female who underwent surgery at the Parkridge Prisma Outpatient Center.  My preparation for surgery was excellent.  After surgery, nurse Allyson Bagley brought me a wheelchair.  That was our first contact.  My spouse was so nervous and worried about me that I was trying to calm him. Due to my unsteady, dizzy condition, I almost fell over the wheelchair. Allyson caught me in time and took my husband and me to our car.  When we arrived home, Allyson was there waiting for us. She had witnessed our situation -my unsteadiness and my husband's agitation- and was concerned about us.  She helped me settle in at home and took charge.  She organized my medicines, making a chart for each, indicating amounts and times to take them.  She also made sure I was drinking liquids to stay hydrated. She took care of us when we were most vulnerable.   My emotional stress eased when I heard her patiently explain to my husband my medication schedule and then go over my care requirements with both of us.  I was so grateful I cried.  We thanked her profusely and attempted to compensate her.  She adamantly refused.

Allyson returned the next morning, bringing soup, crackers, and drinks.  She again provided care and drained my tubing, which my husband and I found difficult to do.  She returned that evening and drained the tubes once again.  On Sunday morning, she called to check on us.  She planned on visiting that afternoon. By this time, my condition was stable to the point where my husband and I could assure her that we were able to take over.

Because I had accepted an available surgery appointment a month sooner than what I had scheduled, I was unable to find in-home health care on such short notice. My husband and I discussed the situation and determined we could manage what was required.  As it turned out, I was no help, and my husband was struggling on his own.  Lesson learned.

Allyson was surely God-sent to us.  Over the entire weekend, she showered us with unsolicited skilled care, comfort, and kindness from her heart.  We are forever grateful.  It is obvious that nursing is her calling.  Allyson deserves to be recognized for her extraordinary nursing skills and compassion, but most of all for the wonderful person she is.