Gracie Rice was my night nurse during my stay here at Northside Hospital Cherokee. This nurse was as sweet as a daisy. She listened to me and dried my tears as I worried about what my next steps were in my health journey. I explained to her that the ER doctor told me I had an abscess and that they were going to treat it with antibiotics and remove it. I was hopeful because at least I knew what was bothering me, but in the room when the surgeon came, he said he had to run more tests to make sure because he didn’t think it was an abscess, and this made me worry again.

Gracie showed a lot of empathy and explained everything to my family and me that was in my chart every time it was updated. She explained to me that running more tests and making sure was a good thing. She eased my anxiety by speaking reason, very professionally and empathetically.

When you’re as sick as I am, fighting so many things besides my cancer, you get kind of desperate for resolutions. I need to learn to be patient and listen, like Gracie. She always went above and beyond to help me feel at ease. The first night, I just needed a shower to wash away all the sadness. She brought me everything I needed for my shower and asked if she could help in any way. I did need help with my colostomy bag. She helped me cut my Ostomy bag wafer to a size that would fit my stoma comfortably.

It’s very difficult to shower and change your ostomy bag when you have an IV, and you can’t bend your arm all the way. She helped me so much that it made a task that is usually exhausting into a pleasant, peaceful moment because I had Gracie helping me. That first night, I slept well and at ease.

I really appreciate the way she double-checked every medicine and asked doctors to add medicine that I felt I needed. It helped make my overall stay more comfortable and less fearful. I was fortunate to have her as my nurse the second night as well. My family got to know and appreciate her because they knew I was in good hands each night when they left.

Gracie was polite and graceful, as well as professional in every way. I saw the way she communicated with her team. The techs and she worked well together and just kept impressing me. I even joked and said this place felt like a five-star hotel. When I would walk the halls, I would see her listen attentively to her team just the way she would listen to me. She would constantly check my chart and update my family and me. We really appreciated how informative and empathetic she was.

I am sure all of her patients love her. I remember asking her. You must really love your job because it shows, and she said yes, with a big smile on her face, and told me how she chose this path because she always felt in her heart that she wanted to help, and she was very helpful. Northside Hospital Cherokee is very fortunate to have Gracie Rice on its team because she is a wonderful nurse who encompasses each of the descriptions of the DAISY Award. My family and I really appreciate everyone at Northside Hospital Cherokee, especially Gracie Rice.