My eyes tear up when I think about how fortunate I was to have Rachel as my nurse during the days I unexpectedly spent as a patient at Riverside. For a better understanding of how her treatment was beyond appreciated and impactful on both my and my husband’s life, I think some additional context is important. I was in the middle of a workday when I experienced the immediate onset of debilitating pain. As an otherwise healthy and active person, I wanted to avoid the ED at all costs. However, because it was the weekend before my wedding, my soon-to-be husband convinced me I should see a doctor. Begrudgingly, I went to the OhioHealth outpatient ED where my pain had subsided, but the doctor precautionarily ordered a CT scan that very unexpectedly unveiled a mass on my kidney. From there I was transferred to Riverside where an MRI was ordered, which unfortunately unveiled two more masses. With consultation from the physicians, I was scheduled for surgery, but otherwise cleared to go forward with our wedding as planned and a subsequent two-week honeymoon to Europe.

The surgery date arrived quickly! The urologist performed a successful and otherwise uneventful surgery. While I was experiencing a lot of pain, I assumed it was a normal part of the healing process and was discharged from the hospital. Unfortunately, my pain remained steady, as did my shortness of breath. I met with my surgeon again, which resulted in an x-ray at his office, which later resulted in a phone call from a radiologist at Riverside that evening to inform me I had developed an unexpected complication and needed to get to Riverside ASAP. We raced to the Riverside ED. That evening, it was confirmed that a chest tube was necessary and I was admitted. After a long and confusing day, I fell asleep quickly. The next day I woke up to Rachel. She notified me that my procedure was scheduled. While I don’t remember much about the procedure, I do remember the individual responsible for transport telling me that we would need to wait for Rachel to be with us before we could return to the room. I remember fearing that I was inconveniencing Rachel by taking away attention from other patients when she walked in with a calm presence and reassuring smile. The journey back to the room was filled with her asking questions about me, my family, my hobbies, my interests – anything but my procedure. I didn’t realize how important these conversations would be until the truly debilitating pain kicked in. In moments of being humanized by Rachel, I quickly learned I was able to disregard at least some of the pain.

Admittedly, the next days were among the most challenging for me. I pride myself in independence and I felt like such a burden paging Rachel every 2 hours to get up and readjust my tubes so I could go to the bathroom or ask her to refill a water bottle or an icepack. Somehow, she was so genuinely and convincingly kind that these needs felt less like burdensome asks and more like touchpoints. Every interaction, even when I was in tears from the pain, ultimately resulted in some joke or form of laughter. By the end of the first day, it felt as if I had made a new friend. Rachel was truly above no task. At one point, I was prepared to go for my first walk around the floor. I suggested to Rachel we could wait until the tech was finished when she thoughtfully suggested that was nonsense; she would accompany my husband and I to show us the ropes. And each walk after that, she openly made herself available, but when we suggested we felt comfortable on our own, she just cheered us on.

Kindness aside, my health, well-being, and pain management were at the forefront of Rachel’s agenda at all times. Rachel listened to me when I expressed extreme and particular pain and worked with the doctors to establish a thorough and holistic plan to manage the pain. Like clockwork, she administered a schedule of medication that she had helped establish by virtue of witnessing my pain firsthand. Under Rachel’s care, I felt my concerns and needs were not only taken seriously, but carefully analyzed and addressed with the doctors to ensure that I was receiving, at all times under her supervision, the best care. It oftentimes wasn’t until after the fact that I learned how Rachel had quarterbacked a plan to ensure that I was receiving the attention she felt I needed to exist in as pain-free of a state as possible. Even on the last day, when I knew I would be discharged, having expressed concern that the tube removal would hurt, Rachel told me to page her as soon as the doctor came in so that she could be there to support me when the tube was removed. Sure enough, she sat bedside with me as I held my breath. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?” She asked. “It wasn’t great.” I jokingly replied. In the same breath, I promised the doctor that I would nominate Rachel for every award possible, because hindsight in that moment, I couldn’t conceive the potential thought of being on my own while my husband was working.

Pain aside, it's hard to imagine having gone through the highs, the lows, and all the trivial in-betweens without having Rachel as part of my care team at Riverside. And of course it wouldn’t have been a graduation from her care without a handmade card signed by a majority of the floor. I held back tears when Rachel delivered the card designed by her and signed by many colleagues after we had delivered donuts as a small token of gratitude for her excellent care. Rachel and I joked that we would miss one another soon before I was discharged. I’m happy to report that I am effectively “back to normal.” There is no doubt in my mind that my physical, mental, and emotional health are far more progressed than they might be otherwise because of her care. Ultimately, from my perspective, Rachel not only set the bar, but raised the bar. She is not just a nurse but a healthcare hero, a listener, a problem solver, and an empathizer. I could think of no one more deserving of this award.