Krystal embodies what a nurse should be. She was absolutely the brightest spot in some of the darkest days of my friend's life. My friend R was admitted to our hospital and spent more than a week in our facility for what he thought was a complication of a head cold. R was admitted from the ER and settled into a room. His condition slightly worsened, and the doctors felt he needed a different acuity of nursing and the decision was made that he would be moved to 3 East. There, he met Krystal Sobers.

I thought for sure he was not going to be the happiest to be moved to a floor where the rooms were so much smaller than the previous room he had been assigned. But to my surprise, he had the opposite reaction to this room change. R was actually much more content and he was very talkative while he was on this unit. He told me that all of the nurses on this floor had taken excellent care of him, but then he told me about an exceptional nurse. He said this nurse really stood out and made him feel welcome and she was doing some amazing things to make him feel comfortable. This nurse was Krystal Sobers.

She extended compassion, caring, and that extra special Humankindness that our organization strives to deliver to all of our patients. Krystal Sobers went above and beyond to bring a smile to R’s face even though he had been given a shocking and seemingly devastating diagnosis of stage IV lung cancer. At the age of 51 and a lifestyle that did not seem to match the diagnosis, he had an extremely difficult time accepting and understanding how this diagnosis could be. Through Krystal’s positive attitude and professionalism, it was much easier for all of us to understand and start the process of acceptance. Krystal was able to give my friend and his wife a special moment of happiness and a lasting memory that she knew his wife would cherish forever.

Krystal learned that R worked in the restaurant business for many years and, most recently, had been working in a school system as a supervisor over nutrition. She also learned that he was a food connoisseur. Krystal got to know him, and she knew what could put a smile on his face. Krystal obtained a special snack for R and his wife to enjoy and have a bedside picnic. She created a restaurant-style atmosphere by mixing up a special drink at his bedside for both of them to enjoy, and she recorded it on video using his wife’s phone. She called it a "Celebration of Love." This video shows them smiling, kissing, and sharing in the enjoyment of the provided snack and drink. In the video, Krystal can be seen enthusiastically creating and presenting this snack and the "Tequila Sunrise" drink minus the alcohol. This act of Humankindness allowed them, even if for a brief moment, to forget about what was going on around them. It was such a special moment that R's wife could not wait to show and share this video of Krystal’s actions with me. She was grinning from ear to ear as we watched this video together, and I have witnessed her watch it several times since. Krystal was able to make a special connection with this patient and his family, and it warms my heart that she allowed them to see that there can be happy times despite the seriousness of his diagnosis.

R has since passed on, but this memory will forever remain, giving my friend a tangible place to go and remember the spirit of her husband in some of his final days. Krystal’s actions throughout his hospital stay were obvious and intentional. Her compassionate care and this simple gesture will resonate with all of us who knew R. I would like to personally thank her. She is a true DAISY Nurse.