Lauren was the best nurse ever! I was terrified to have surgery and go under. I had never had surgery. I was beyond terrified to have the tube down my throat as I thought I was going to die. Lauren’s calm manner, kindness, stories, advice, and problem-solving to help make my nerves go away were just what this nervous girl needed – like telling me they’ll put a washcloth over my eyes so I don’t see the gas mask go on – as I told her I will panic if I see that. All the tools, tricks, advice, and stories to make me feel better and calm my nerves were simply amazing. I asked her if she could be in surgery with me, and she said she’ll try to pop in.

All the things she did and said were so above and beyond what a “normal” nurse would do these days, as they’re all busy and stressed, but Lauren was my “Steady Eddie” while I had to face all of my nerves about going under for surgery and thinking I was going to die. (I had a heightened fear of going under as my dad was in the ICU and intubated, and then he died – so watching him with the tube down his throat and all the medical drips for 6 weeks was awful for me to see, and ever since then I’ve been terrified to go under!) So, talking me through every step so I could understand and ask questions was so important to me! As I said, she came up with the solution of putting the washcloth over my eyes, fully knowing I’d be “out” and never see anything (ha!) – but that alone helped my brain process that I wouldn’t see the mask go over my face.

She’s one of a kind, and you’re lucky to have her!! I’m beyond grateful she was my nurse, and I feel I hit the jackpot when I got her!

**This is Lauren's 2nd DAISY Award!