I was under Paz’s care several times over the last month. The first few were in Antepartum when I was admitted for high blood pressure during the third trimester of my pregnancy. I had never been to the hospital before, and naturally, I was very anxious about the possibility of having pre-eclampsia. Paz took extra time to explain what was happening and why we were doing certain tests and procedures. Her bedside demeanor is incredible. I never felt rushed in asking a million questions.

Fast forward to my delivery, I was placed in Antepartum because I had developed Pre-eclampsia and had to be on a mag drip. Paz was my nurse again, and I was so relieved to have this friendly face to support me. The days following delivery were rough, to say the least. The Mag drip left me feeling out of it, and my anxiety was through the roof. I was struggling hard with postpartum OCD and having panic attacks multiple times a day. Paz never dismissed me. She sat patiently at my side and talked me through the panic attacks time after time. She went above and beyond in taking my blood pressure readings, listening to me when I told her I felt like I got a high reading because of the anxiety and if we could try again in 15 minutes. Naturally, my blood pressure would return to normal, and I was able to return to a calm state.

From a mental health standpoint, this was one of the hardest weeks of my life, and in my weakest moments, I never felt alone or embarrassed. I felt supported in a way that was truly remarkable. Paz turned a traumatic situation into an experience I was able to survive and overcome. I genuinely would not have come out on the other side without trauma had it not been for the support she provided me throughout this time.