I was scheduled for open heart surgery for a double bypass; however, I had a terrible panic attack, and the doctor rescheduled for me to come back a couple of days later in the evening to have some anxiety medications overnight to keep me calm. I was still reluctant and scared to come in, but my wife got me to my room. Laurie was my nurse that night. After she got me settled, she spent a little time with my wife and me, talking to me and answering my questions. She did so much to ease my fears and helped me feel better; it was amazing. Later that night, she could tell I was worried (at this point, my wife had had to leave), and I felt alone and just scared. She made sure I was okay, I was comfortable, that I understood when I was getting medication so I wouldn't be worried about another anxiety attack, and talked me through everything that would happen in the morning so I would be prepared. Her attitude was amazing, and she was so calming. I am telling you right now - based on all the chaos that really did happen in the morning of getting someone ready for surgery, I am so very thankful she talked me through it the night before. Anxiety meds or not, I don't think I would have actually gone through it without her voice in my head. When she saw me after the surgery, she came into my room and said, "I told you you could do it!!" I thanked her - I told her that she honestly was the reason I went through with it. That if it wasn't for her and how she calmed me down and helped me mentally prepare the night before, I don't think I could have done it. While I didn't have her as my nurse again after the surgery, she would pop her head in and say hi, and I definitely made sure she signed my pillow before I left. Her signature followed her message, "You did it!!!"
A few weeks later, I came into the ER due to having some trouble breathing for several days and a dry cough. They ended up admitting me due to fluid in my left lung, and moved me to 4 East. I started with one great nurse, but then in the evening I had Laurie again!! I really think God was smiling down on me to give me Laurie again, my first night, when I was so worried about what was going on after 6 weeks post-op, was such a blessing and immediately made me (and my wife!) feel at ease. She remembered my wife and me, and is just such an overall caring nurse. She also again spent a little bit of time talking to me about what was happening, some of what could happen the next day, and helped to ease my fears and still be realistic. It's just her nature and what kind of nurse she is! It was a great first night (all things considered!) and - AGAIN - I am so thankful! All of the nurses I had at Union Memorial on both 4 East and 4 West were great - but Laurie, well, she was a notch above, and I am so thankful I was under her care. Can't say it enough! She obviously knows what she is doing. She's smart, she's personable, and her bedside manner stands out as a shining star.