I was a patient at NCH for 9 days. At 82, I had never had abdominal surgery, so it was a new and somewhat frightening experience. Going by ambulance, I had no idea what to expect.

Almost all the nurses were comforting and professional. Jacks Mejias, however, stood above the rest by her kindness, easy explanations, and friendliness.

In many ways, the less critical issues were the most difficult for me to deal with. One night, the urinary and fecal incontinence brought me to tears. The feeling of total control was so depressing.

Jacks was not only kind and calming, she came back on her own time to talk and make me laugh— laugh until I could hardly catch my breath.

That laughter was more healing than the medicine coming through my IV’s. It took me from such a state of despair to an attitude of acceptance. It affected me more than I can begin to say.

Jacks continued to check in on me and made my stay so much more pleasant than I thought possible.