Ms. Wendy was my nurse when I first arrived on 6 Central. To give you an idea of the condition I was in: I was taken straight from the ER into the OR to have a double skin and bone debridement on both legs. I was in so much discomfort, distress, and pain—it was pure agony, and I was terrified.

From the very beginning, Wendy treated me not just as a patient but as a whole person who was going through something incredibly difficult. From the first time I met her, Wendy worked to make sure I was as comfortable as possible. She didn’t just respond to what I said; she paid attention to my body language, my tone, and even the small things I didn’t say out loud. If my words suggested one thing but my discomfort showed another, she noticed. She used her critical thinking and her compassion to bridge that gap, making sure I got what I truly needed. That kind of attention made me feel safe and cared for in a way I didn’t expect.

One of the most important things Wendy did for me was advocate when I couldn’t advocate for myself. My family lives three hours away, so I was alone during some crucial conversations. There was a mix-up in explaining the DNR code to me, and if Wendy hadn’t caught it, I could have easily misunderstood and accidentally agreed to something I didn’t intend. She recognized how hazy I was during that first week after major surgery, and she took the time to carefully explain what the code meant. That moment could have changed everything for me, and I’ll never forget that she stepped in to make sure I understood.

Wendy quickly earned my trust and respect. She showed me that I deserved the same dignity and care as anyone else, and she encouraged me not to be afraid to ask for help. Every day, she took care of the small but meaningful details that made my stay more bearable. She always made sure my bedside commode was clean, wiped down my tray table, and kept my room tidy. She made sure I had ice water, fluids, and, most importantly to me, my tea. It might sound small, but those consistent acts of kindness gave me stability in the middle of chaos. Wendy also went above and beyond in ways that touched me deeply.

Since I live so far from home, I didn’t have many of my personal belongings with me. I also didn’t expect to be in the hospital for as long as I have been—29 days and counting, with skin grafts scheduled and more weeks of recovery ahead. Knowing how much I love tea, Wendy surprised me by buying me two French press mugs so I could enjoy it here. That simple, thoughtful gift made me cry. In such a scary and uncertain time, having even a small reminder of home gave me incredible comfort. Ms. Wendy has gone above and beyond in every way. She has cared for me physically, emotionally, and personally, showing true compassion and dedication. She has made a lasting impact on my life when I needed it most.