In May, my daughter came to get her first stellate ganglion block. For some background, my daughter (21) has gone through a lot over the past two years and has been diagnosed with multiple chronic illnesses which include EDS, POTS, and MCAS, along with multiple hip surgeries. It has been two years of medical appointments, fears, questions, exhaustion, second opinions, medical trauma, and dismissal by some. Thankfully, we have been able to find incredible providers who understand these illnesses and want to help improve her quality of life. Understandably, my daughter, C, has a ton of anxiety and fear when it comes to medical appointments and procedures. She needs a lot of prepping, education, patience, and some valium to get her ready for procedures. She had an extreme amount of anxiety about the stellate ganglion block, and almost cancelled. When we came in, we immediately felt cared for and heard. Maggie was C's nurse and she calmed down as soon as she met her. She was kind and caring, identified with her as a younger person, and wanted to hear her story to connect with her. C explained her anxieties and Maggie talked her through each one. She saw C as a whole person, not just a patient here for a procedure. As C went back for her procedure, Maggie then shifted her focus to take care of me. The mom, who has been through this all and also has stress/anxiety around procedures and fears of complications. She didn't have to then take care of me, but did in every way. We exchanged nurse to nurse stories and her calming effect transferred to me. She kept me from worrying and I too felt so supported by her. When C came back she took such compassionate care of her and I am forever grateful. Maggie's innate ability to calm and connect with her patients, and NS is lucky to have her working for them. 

Note: This is Maggie's 2nd DAISY Award!