Sarah Sparnicht
October 2025
Sarah
Sparnicht
,
RN
2 East/West
Keck Hospital of USC
Los Angeles
,
CA
United States

 

 

 

A few minutes later, I heard Sarah's voice and felt her hand holding mine, telling me that I was going to be okay. To stay with her and to stay awake, and that she wasn't going to leave my side.
Sarah came as an angel on one of the worst days I had experienced as a tongue cancer patient. I had a partial glossectomy, radial forearm flap reconstruction, a gastrostomy tube, trach, and a thigh graft. Earlier in the day, I had contemplated going home and giving up. Day 7 was enough. I was sick of being a pin cushion, felt like a guinea pig, and was sick of writing on my dry-erase board that very few people had the patience for. That evening, Sarah spent the time to physically show my husband and me how the cuffless trach, cannula, and obturator work. She talked with me about what to expect and the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. I had forgotten that all of this is supposed to be temporary. Sarah reminded me, she was patient with me, allowed me to ask questions the only way that I knew how, never rushed me, never made me feel like I was a burden, had a great sense of humor and I could truly feel the genuine kindness through how she took care of me, my trach, how she was gentle with my meds, with checking my vitals, and for having a sense of humor that helped me get through the night. I felt safe, safe enough to sleep, safe enough to rest my mind, soul, and body. I was sad to see her leave in the morning. I know she had asked for the following night off, and I had secretly hoped to have her as my night RN again if she didn't get the time off. The next day rolled by, and I was well taken care of throughout the day by my day RN. During shift change, I saw Sarah come in, and I was sad she was there and not off, but yet really happy to see her and know that I was going to have another great night. About half an hour after the two Nurses came by, I had coughed and then went to the restroom. While on the toilet, I began to bleed out of my trach, and my husband freaked out and ran for help. All I can remember is trying to cough, and more and more blood spewed out of my trach. I was panicking, I didn't know what to do, I just felt lightheaded and could see blood everywhere. I tried my best not to go into full panic mode, but it was inevitable. A few minutes later, I heard Sarah's voice and felt her hand holding mine, telling me that I was going to be okay. To stay with her and to stay awake, and that she wasn't going to leave my side. There were moments when I just wanted to close my eyes and give up. In those moments, I could feel and hear Sarah in my ear telling me to be strong, that I was doing great, that she was still there and was helping with the bleeding. She told me that it was meant for her to be there that night and that she wouldn't leave me. Her voice brought me calmness, reassurance, and hope that I was still present in that moment. Sarah saved me, and I am forever grateful and thankful. If it weren't for her dedication and true compassion, I would not be here today. She supported me, my husband, and the attending doctor in keeping me calm and ensuring that I didn't give up when I wanted to, and reminded me to keep fighting. She was with me until I stabilized and was moved to the ICU. She had come by to check on me and my husband, too, in the middle of the night. Sarah is a true blessing and deserves the DAISY Award and so much more.