I woke up on the way to PACU, and when I first locked eyes with Abigail, she saw a patient who couldn't speak and was crying from pain. I saw a beacon of hope and eyes filled with empathy. She immediately began offering me comfort and kept me well-informed of everything happening. She had no idea how aware I truly was, but the truth is that PACU nurses are the first thing surgery patients wake up to. No matter what state we are in, they are prepared to be informers, caretakers, advocates, and proceed with the delicate process of handling adults in childlike states. I couldn't communicate, but she found a way to understand my needs and anticipate my questions.

When I spilled water on myself, she helped me change in a way that protected my dignity without compromising my safety. She made sure I was as comfortable as possible physically, but also strived to put my mind at ease. I saw her working with the other nurses and helping where she was needed, all while not straying too far. She caught my low SATs while I slept and informed me of anything I needed to pass along to my floor nurse when I transferred to the unit. I have a lot of anxiety and often feel the need to watch everything myself, which makes it difficult to relax.

Abigail made me feel totally comfortable and able to rest while I waited to transfer. She kept me up to date on my family, my room, and Dr. P's comments on my surgery. I felt that she truly cared about the patients she saw and connected to them on a personal level while maintaining professional and clinical skill. I hope she is made aware that she made a great impact on my experience, and I'm sure on many others as well.