I would like to share a heartfelt note of appreciation for a nurse named Sunae (I am not sure of the spelling of her last name) who cared for me during my recent procedure at Sequoia Hospital (Redwood City), Surgical Services Pavilion.

I am a 33-year-old Korean woman living and working in the U.S. I have a wonderful husband and a beautiful first child, but English is not always easy for me, especially outside of my professional field.

After the birth of my first child, I experienced three consecutive pregnancies, and all ended as missed miscarriages. This most recent visit was for a D&C to say goodbye to my third baby. My first two missed miscarriages were managed with natural passage or a simple procedure, and both experiences were extremely traumatic.

This time, after discussing options with my physician, we decided to proceed with a D&C under sedation. Going to the hospital for a procedure, especially under these circumstances, was deeply stressful and emotional for me.

Meeting Nurse Sunae truly changed that experience.

Losing a pregnancy is heartbreaking, but she cared for me with such warmth and attention that it felt like my own mother was beside me in a foreign country. She took care of every detail. While I was changing into the hospital gown, she noticed I was spotting and brought me a pad, disposable underwear, and a separate bag for my shoes, items that had not been provided initially. She gently explained practical details to help prevent common mistakes, and during the pre op questions and paperwork, whenever I did not understand a term in English, she took the time to explain it clearly, so I could truly understand. She also explained the procedure step by step in a calm and reassuring way, which helped ease my anxiety.

There was also a delay because the physician's prior procedure ran late, and my waiting time became much longer than expected. Throughout that time, she repeatedly checked on me to make sure I was comfortable, asking if I needed the restroom, if I was in pain, and even considering the size of the pain medication tablet before giving it to me. Her kind words and steady presence helped me stay calm.

Up until the moment I entered the procedure room, I felt genuinely cared for.

After the procedure, when I woke up in recovery, she came by again before leaving for the day to make sure I was doing well. When I mentioned my mouth was very dry, she even checked the temperature of the water before giving it to me, applied lip balm, and wished me a smooth recovery.

I delivered my first child at Sequoia Hospital, so I already knew that the staff is generally kind and professional. But Nurse Soune’s compassion stood out in an extraordinary way. I do not believe this was simply because we share the same background. Her kindness felt genuine and deeply sincere.

Although I am grieving the loss of my baby, thanks to her, I was able to leave the hospital feeling supported, comforted, and treated with dignity.

I am truly grateful for her care and hope she can be recognized for the difference she makes for patients during their most vulnerable moments.