Melissa Rojas
February 2026
Melissa
Rojas
,
BSN, RN
Float Pool
Nicklaus Children's Hospital
Miami
,
FL
United States
She didn’t just care for her patient; she cared for the person supporting the patient.
I am currently in the hospital with my brother when my period unexpectedly started. I have endometriosis, and the pain can be severe and debilitating. I couldn’t take the medication I normally use because it makes me very drowsy, and I wanted to stay alert to support my brother. The hospital room was cold, and without pain relief, the cramps became overwhelming.
At one point, I was in so much pain that I couldn’t even get up from the couch to hand my brother a yogurt he wanted but couldn’t reach due to his own pain. He didn’t ask me because he knows how intense my pain can be. We were both hurting, and I felt helpless.
Eventually, the pain kept building and became so intense that I felt disoriented and, per usual, I slipped into this strange fog where I am aware enough to open my eyes and look around, but I can’t speak clearly or form full thoughts.
I don’t even remember when Melissa came into the room or when she left. What I do remember is opening my eyes and seeing her gently placing a freshly warmed blanket over me. She didn’t have to do that. She didn’t have to think about me at all. I wasn’t even her patient. But she did.
That simple act of kindness meant more than she could possibly know. The warmth provided so much relief that, for the first time in hours, I was able to truly relax and fall asleep. I actually slept for a few hours and woke up only because I was finally too warm.
I’m writing this at 4:40 in the morning from the hospital room, and Melissa just quietly came in to turn off the light so we could rest better. Even in the smallest details, she shows thoughtfulness and care.
When you’re the support person, you don’t expect anyone to take care of you. You push through. You stay strong. And tonight, I really couldn’t. Melissa stepped in without me even asking. She didn’t just care for her patient; she cared for the person supporting the patient.
Thank you, Melissa. What you did may have seemed small, but to me, it was everything. And I will never forget how that felt. As a graduate nurse myself, I aspire to provide the same level of thoughtfulness and quiet compassion that she showed me. Melissa is exactly the kind of nurse I hope to become.
At one point, I was in so much pain that I couldn’t even get up from the couch to hand my brother a yogurt he wanted but couldn’t reach due to his own pain. He didn’t ask me because he knows how intense my pain can be. We were both hurting, and I felt helpless.
Eventually, the pain kept building and became so intense that I felt disoriented and, per usual, I slipped into this strange fog where I am aware enough to open my eyes and look around, but I can’t speak clearly or form full thoughts.
I don’t even remember when Melissa came into the room or when she left. What I do remember is opening my eyes and seeing her gently placing a freshly warmed blanket over me. She didn’t have to do that. She didn’t have to think about me at all. I wasn’t even her patient. But she did.
That simple act of kindness meant more than she could possibly know. The warmth provided so much relief that, for the first time in hours, I was able to truly relax and fall asleep. I actually slept for a few hours and woke up only because I was finally too warm.
I’m writing this at 4:40 in the morning from the hospital room, and Melissa just quietly came in to turn off the light so we could rest better. Even in the smallest details, she shows thoughtfulness and care.
When you’re the support person, you don’t expect anyone to take care of you. You push through. You stay strong. And tonight, I really couldn’t. Melissa stepped in without me even asking. She didn’t just care for her patient; she cared for the person supporting the patient.
Thank you, Melissa. What you did may have seemed small, but to me, it was everything. And I will never forget how that felt. As a graduate nurse myself, I aspire to provide the same level of thoughtfulness and quiet compassion that she showed me. Melissa is exactly the kind of nurse I hope to become.