Emily McCool
April 2025
Emily
McCool
,
BSN, RN,
MICU
Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital
Santa Barbara
,
CA
United States
She looked me in the eyes and assured me she would advocate for me, even before I voiced any of my anxious thoughts.
I was admitted to CH in the evening and have been wanting to share my experience since recovering from what turned out to be a two-week hospital stay. As a patient with sickle cell disease, I arrived at the ED experiencing pain in my knee, a sensation I had never encountered before. By the time I was taken into a room, I was in tears, and for the first time in my life, I rated my pain a 10/10. I have a high pain tolerance and have never previously needed to use that rating, even during numerous sickle cell crises.
Communicating through such pain and fear was challenging. Living with sickle cell is as mentally taxing as it is physically, especially since I have encountered healthcare professionals in the past who did not take my pain seriously (thankfully, never at CH). Therefore, advocating for myself in medical settings creates significant anxiety.
I was fortunate to have Emily as my nurse that night. She looked me in the eyes and assured me she would advocate for me, even before I voiced any of my anxious thoughts. It felt as if she understood the disparities faced by sickle cell patients and recognized the fears racing through my mind. Emily not only listened with genuine empathy but also went the extra mile to calm my nerves. I was lucky to have her as my nurse for two nights, and when my condition worsened and my family flew in from the East Coast, I continuously mentioned Emily to them.
She made an outstanding difference in my morale during those first two days, which was crucial for facing what the next two weeks had in store. I eventually needed to be transferred to a hospital in Los Angeles. Emily’s kindness played a significant role in my ability to stay strong during this ordeal, as she bolstered my confidence in the healthcare team around me. In her presence, I felt safe and heard, which is incredibly important for sickle cell patients. Even after seven months, I still think of her and the kindness she showed me. I have been hospitalized multiple times, but I have never encountered a nurse who went out of their way to reassure me the way Emily did.
Communicating through such pain and fear was challenging. Living with sickle cell is as mentally taxing as it is physically, especially since I have encountered healthcare professionals in the past who did not take my pain seriously (thankfully, never at CH). Therefore, advocating for myself in medical settings creates significant anxiety.
I was fortunate to have Emily as my nurse that night. She looked me in the eyes and assured me she would advocate for me, even before I voiced any of my anxious thoughts. It felt as if she understood the disparities faced by sickle cell patients and recognized the fears racing through my mind. Emily not only listened with genuine empathy but also went the extra mile to calm my nerves. I was lucky to have her as my nurse for two nights, and when my condition worsened and my family flew in from the East Coast, I continuously mentioned Emily to them.
She made an outstanding difference in my morale during those first two days, which was crucial for facing what the next two weeks had in store. I eventually needed to be transferred to a hospital in Los Angeles. Emily’s kindness played a significant role in my ability to stay strong during this ordeal, as she bolstered my confidence in the healthcare team around me. In her presence, I felt safe and heard, which is incredibly important for sickle cell patients. Even after seven months, I still think of her and the kindness she showed me. I have been hospitalized multiple times, but I have never encountered a nurse who went out of their way to reassure me the way Emily did.