Cynthia demonstrated outstanding professionalism in the extraordinary care she took of me in post-op recovery to make sure I was very comfortable and in explaining that the gel spacer and gold markers were successfully done to prepare for the prostate radiation treatment. She exercised her empathy with me that it is normal for me to experience stress and concern for the cancer situation and that I should trust her when she said I would get the best treatment from the FVA doctors who are successful in dealing with this so I should not worry and should try to relax.

I asked if she enjoyed working in the recovery department, and she said yes. Her ambition and goal was to become head of the department by demonstrating her leadership skills through volunteering for jobs others did not want to do and covering holidays and other shifts that others did not want to work. I told her that sounded like a terrific plan that would accomplish her ambition and goal. Now she said, "Let me tell you about safety issues to be aware of." She methodically went through a list of safety things that might happen at home, and then she identified what I should do for each if they did happen. Her empathy and compassion made me feel confident about any safety thing that might happen at home. Her outstanding care of me was an "instant reply" of the same identical professionalism and empathy, etc., that she gave me in the recovery department after my surgery for the prostate biopsy. That was very consistent PETALS are + compassionate with me- and I am sure- with all other veterans that she treats in recovery. My sincerest thanks very much for being an extraordinary nurse.