I was admitted after a traumatic mountain biking crash that left me with a 40% compression fracture at T6 and minor fractures at C4 and C5. I was in intense pain, scared, and overwhelmed, especially with the looming fear of possibly needing surgery. From the moment Arlene came into the room, she brought a sense of calm I didn’t even know I needed. She was clear and reassuring, always taking the time to explain what was happening, how I was doing, and constantly reminding me that I was handling everything really well, which, in those moments, meant everything. She made space for my questions, eased my nerves, and gave me confidence that my body was on the right track. Her warmth, laughter, and quick banter made a heavy situation feel lighter, and she made sure I never felt like just another patient. Even when the pain was unbearable and two rounds of morphine hadn’t touched it, she stayed steady and present, advocating for my care and making sure I felt safe. She went above and beyond to get me things like lidocaine patches to ease my back pain and circulation equipment to keep my legs healthy and improve my rest, little things that made a huge difference. Even when her shift ended, Arlene made sure to transition me carefully to other nurses, explaining everything thoroughly, and she told me exactly when she’d be back, so I could keep an eye out for her, something I genuinely looked forward to. Her care was not only thorough and professional, it was deeply human and personal. I truly believe Arlene played a huge role in helping me recover faster, both physically and emotionally, and I’ll always be grateful for the way she showed up for me when I needed it most.