Nurse Bryan is a compassionate caregiver who played a pivotal role in ensuring that a comfortable and high standard of quality of life was provided for my late godfather and guardian. Their journey began when Ninong D, a senior with a low pain threshold and a fear of injections, started his dialysis sessions. Nurse Byran not only administered medical care but also provided emotional support, lending a sympathetic ear to Ninong's tales of woe or many nostalgic stories. Their bond grew so strong that Ninong D trusted no one more than Nurse Bryan for his injections and dialysis preparations. Among countless stories, what struck me the most was the day of Ninong D's passing. Our family and the operating theater staff were naturally in tears, but it was Nurse Bryan and his hemodialysis unit colleagues knocking on our door, sharing our grief and our tears, that made me realize the profound impact that Ninong D and Nurse Bryan had on each other's lives. With each patient's passing, nurses like Nurse Bryan give a piece of themselves that they have bound to the patients they care for. Their willingness to endure this pain repeatedly, to ensure that people like my godfather have the best end-stage quality of life, is a heroic act often unseen by society, and I hope that changes. In the end, Nurse Bryan made Ninong D feel seen and heard whilst providing the same unwavering dedication and standard of care amongst many other patients. May his qualities serve as an inspiration to others.

***

Nurse Bryan whose wit and impeccable sense of humor would perk up one lousy day. He is not only an efficient nurse but also very effective because his smile and laughter are both contagious. His “knock-knock” jokes are delivered right on cue and would evoke laughter at times in the patient’s cubicle. I love asking questions relative to CKD, and Nurse Bryan would always explain concerns with gusto. His answers also reflect that he knows what he is doing.