I am 25 years old, and I lost my mom a couple of months prior to my visit to the hospital; in the span of 3 weeks, I was septic twice, ending up with a perforated bowel. I was air-lifted to Adventist Health, where it was my first time flying, and my first ever surgery under anesthesia. The surgeon explained what he had to do to my abdomen, and we talked about potentially a medically induced coma with a ventilator to heal. We discussed the risks of everything, and it was all so overwhelming. I was scared out of my mind. All I could think about was how much I wanted my mom. I was afraid I was going to die. I'm only 25, my heart rate was so high, peaking at 150 constantly, I just had to accept what needed to happen, and to know the hospital was going to make everything ok.

When I woke up in my room, I was screaming in pain, scared with an open abdomen healing from the inside out and a colostomy bag. The six nurses I am nominating went above and beyond with my care. Nirmal gave me such great care when I'd cry, and when I was scared, she was the first nurse I had. We grew a strong bond, and she even came to see me when she wasn't my nurse just to say hi and see how I was doing. She was the mother figure I needed in that moment.

Rachael was my nurse assistant for multiple days. She made me laugh in my darkness. I'm 25 with a colostomy bag; I was embarrassed, I felt ugly, abnormal, and wasn't comfortable with it yet. Every day she made me laugh, brushed my hair, brought products to detangle my hair, and gave me advice about other things for my health that had helped her. She was another friend and mother figure in my time of need.

My nurse, Navjot, constantly reminded me how strong I was, pushing through so much pain and the obstacles my life was throwing at me. When she saw me start to struggle, she'd rub my shoulder or leg and remind me how strong I was. She was always giving me words of encouragement and helping me to be patient with myself, with everything being so new.

Lee was my night nurse. He was so sweet. Whenever I needed anything, he came. He was always here to put my mind at ease and explain anything that was scaring me with my anxiety. He was so calming, and he really made me feel safe.

My nurse, Mandeep, helped me by explaining how to drain and empty my colostomy bag and drain tubes, making sure I knew how these devices worked multiple times. She does her job really well, always on time and ready with anything I could need. She would come in and smile, telling me good morning, and I knew she was always going to take care of me.

My last night in the hospital, I had Simer; she was fantastic, so sweet, made me laugh, and cared for me with a big heart. She kicked my last night off I was so comfortable, I would've thought I was at home. These six nurses did everything. They are great, and they made my time in the hospital memorable with smiles and laughs. I will forever remember these six people and the 3 Main department.