When my dad was taken to the CCSD after surgery, my brain scrambled a bit. I had just spent 30 anxious minutes cornering a very patient (and wonderful) nurse. My dad has to get his Parkinson's medications on time, and I needed to communicate his prior post-op issues with severe hypotension to the floor staff. But now he wasn't coming to where I had paved the way with my worried explanations.

The PACU nurse brought mom and me to where my dad was, where he was in post-anesthesia alter ego yelling at the nurse (Ashley) to stop resuscitating him, he wanted to go meet the Lord! "Dad," I said, "No one is resuscitating you, they are getting you settled in."

"Bull," He yelled, "They are resuscitating me!" My one tired brain cell and one last nerve wanted to run the med list and discuss the importance of timely Parkinson's meds. Ashley seemed to already know that when I pulled out his med list. She was unphased by the post-op dad, his weary wife, and frayed daughter. She patiently showed me where each of his medications were entered and what time they were to be given. Without me saying a thing, she told me what she knew about my dad, which was spot on. She also explained she knows how important it is that Parkinson's meds are given on time, and she would take personal responsibility that he got them when he needed them. She also reassured me that she would be watching his blood pressure all night and would communicate with the doctor regularly. Her competence, compassion, humor, and strength shone through. I really appreciate her service to my family in this stressful time.