In June, I donated my left kidney to my daughter at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. I was released from the hospital 2 days later, and after my follow-up appointment, I was cleared post-surgery. I soon began experiencing intermittent pain in my left abdomen. The pain climbed to an unbearable level, and I was taken by ambulance to AdventHealth Fish Memorial, where scans showed there to be fluid built up in the cavity where my harvested kidney used to be.

A wonderful Doctor informed me that I would need to have a second surgery to extract the fluid buildup and have a temporary drain mechanism put in to aid in the healing process. However, I was informed that the surgeons don’t operate over the weekend, so the earliest day I could get in for the procedure would be Monday, and it was only Saturday.

My unique challenge is that I’m very sensitive to pain medication and don’t react well to them, with the side effects being severe, so pain management would be tricky, and I was in a lot of pain. I expressed I wished I could’ve had the procedure earlier because I was in so much pain and I was crying in agony, writhing in pain, and vomiting while waiting for the procedure. Every person at this hospital was kind, gentle, and helpful, making me feel like family was caring for me.

There was, however, one extra extraordinary individual who stands out that I am compelled to highlight, who, literally from the moment I met, gave me a sense that an angel was taking care of me. My memory gets blurry as time advances, and the pain got more severe in my abdomen, a ferocious migraine set in, and violent vomiting began. However, I recall vividly feeling like Desiree helped me like a beacon of light each step of the way, from comforting me to advocating for me to ensure I was added to the surgical schedule that day.

I actually heard her from the other room call the surgeon’s office and could hear her tell them something to the effect that she wasn’t trying to step on anyone’s toes, but she wanted to be sure I was added to the schedule. It sounded to me like someone was giving her a hard time because she was calling to check their work, even though she was just trying to help me, her patient.

Desiree advocated for me, and while my procedure may not have been big on paper, it was to me because, at one point, just before the procedure, I was literally screaming for God to please come and take me because the pain was so bad. The thought of having to live through another day in that kind of excruciating pain, had I not been added to the surgical calendar, is not one I can even bear to imagine.

If Desiree isn’t an angel on earth, she is at a minimum the best care provider I’ve ever had outside of my own family. She was empathetic and provided soothing words. She is an excellent communicator, keeping me informed about medications, meals, options for pain, helping with restroom visits, and ensuring me I wasn’t alone. She kept me upbeat and even made me laugh amidst the pain.

She is, without a doubt, a superb advocate as well. The folks at the hospital don’t know who I am as an individual outside of my interactions with them at the hospital. I am a very independent, dignified, headstrong woman. For me, being in a situation where I’m completely vulnerable is incredibly uncomfortable. However, I felt safe in this hospital, especially with Desiree. She will always be an earth angel to me, and it’s my honor to share my experience with you.