Kristen advocated for me after I came out of anesthesia and I didn't feel well. She could tell something was off and kept calling doctors to come check on me. Even after they said I was ok, she never left my side and continued calling anyone to come check me.

Finally, the anesthesiologist came and realized I was internally bleeding. I was taken back for emergency surgery. I had already lost over two liters of blood. If Kristen hadn't advocated for me as she did, I might not be here today. She never gave up, listened to me, and trusted her knowledge and intuition.

Kristen came to check on me the following day when I was recovering just to make sure I was ok and offer her support and kindness. After being kept an additional night, she again came the following morning with her famous homemade heating pad and to check on me. I will never be able to repay her but hope she knows how grateful and appreciative my family and I are of what she did for me.

Everyone knows that is what a nurse is supposed to do, but we all also know that many are burnt out and don't take the extra measure or care that nurses like Kristen do. She saved my life, and she deserves recognition for her dedication to patients and their care.