Lauren was one of the first nurses we encountered during our 23-day stay. Her kindness and genuine care for T and our family was immediately noticed. T was not one to stay in the room, he liked to get out and about. Lauren showed us the scavenger hunt which T completed on day one. So eager to do more he was sad it was from spring and not a new one after completing the current one. Lauren said she would make him a new one. She took time out of her personal life to make one. Then she stayed after a meeting to put the pieces up around the unit, so T could start the hunt and work on it when he was able. 

T also had a very hard time drinking water and doing things for his health, Lauren printed off fun goal sheets for him to color every time he finished some water to track his progress through the day. Again, doing this while caring for T and other patients. 

T loves everything about the hospital; he loves role playing and his dad created him the "owl search" card the nurses have. This was just the start, everywhere he went he asked people about the owls and to find them. He then wanted one with his name on it, so he received a name badge from his physical therapist, later Lauren and another nurse made him a real RN label just like theirs in red letters because he wanted to be just like them and laminated it for his badge along with a badge reel saying children. T loved it, to make it extra special they even got him a card with the Bieri Faces Paine Scale on it. The best part was she gave him a ‘daisy’ award, and sunflower. He may not have understood the importance and what it means to have that award, but his dad and I do, as Aunt is an RN and said those awards don't just come easy, she or someone else gave T theirs, we assume. 

This badge reel would become Ts most prized possession. He took it everywhere, from walks to Child Life to dinner. It had a pop it, a sharpie and finally a fancy badge reel "Scrub Life" he was official. When he would have to go to Xray or to PT, OT or anyone with a "working" badge, he'd use theirs to open doors and pretend it was his. When he was with us and family, we were not allowed to open any door because he had to use his badge. This badge was the life of T, he made a small desk in his patient room and when anyone came in you must check in, he used the badge to scan a fake computer he made from paper and take your info. Even his doctor had to be seen by T and have his eyes checked. This badge was then worn for weeks after we got home and went everywhere. 

As a parent I noticed all the above, but there were small things too like here giving us bubbles and a pin wheel to do breathing exercises for him for pre surgery, multiple times a day she would visibly do a physical assessment of pushing on his feet, checking his eyes, arms up and down and other things related to his Halo Gravity Traction, finally I asked why she is the only one to do it. Then I noticed other nurses doing some of the same things. 

Her overall positive attitude and loving, kind disposition instantly bonded with T, making her one of his favorites, he would look forward to days she worked and asked about her every day when she wasn't there. We were saddened to her she needed some time off due to injury and never got to say bye. 

T still talks about Laruen and all the things they talked about and did. I could tell Laruen cared about her job and did it well, not 50% but 150%. The small things I noticed she was doing went a long way in providing excellent care to T. When we find ourselves on west 1O for more orthopedic surgery I hope she is still on 1O and we have the privilege of having her as T's nurse