For some context, I was in the hospital for a total of eight days. I had an emergency surgery for a stomach perforation on my first night. Sarah was my day nurse on days three through five of my hospital stay. From the moment I met Sarah, I could tell Sarah was different from other nurses. I am (was) an incredibly healthy 30-year-old, and I had never had surgery nor been in a hospital, and Sarah seemed to understand this acutely. Sarah's presence was immediately calming, and their competence and expertise were evident.

Sarah patiently answered my family's questions in terms that made sense to us, and she always explained what she was doing and why. Sarah also genuinely seemed interested in me, who I was before the surgery and illness, and having someone see me as more than just a sick patient was liberating during an incredibly difficult time.

In the afternoon of my first day with Sarah, I found out that I needed a CT scan. I was incredibly sick and scared, and I will always remember how having Sarah by my side calmed and comforted me. A turning point came when, toward the end of Sarah's first shift with me, we found out I was going to need a second surgery that night. When tears were welling in my eyes, I felt like I could see Sarah's eyes sparkling as well. Sarah was so invested in me already. It was at this time that Sarah told me about channel six on the television. I hadn't yet used the TV, and Sarah shared how channel six plays calming, instrumental music with scenes of nature. This helped calm and ground me that night, and in the many days to come. She even brought headphones so I could listen to the music to help me sleep, and this was how I finally fell asleep for the first time.

When I returned from my second surgery the next morning, Sarah was genuinely excited to see me. Those next two days, it felt like I was Sarah's only patient (though I know Sarah had a handful of others). Sarah has a way of being optimistic that feels authentic, and I believe that having Sarah as my nurse during some of the most difficult days in the hospital helped me heal faster. The third day I was with Sarah, I spent most of it doing magnesium and potassium repletion through IV. This was by far my hardest day in the hospital. Sarah explained everything thoroughly, brought me what felt like hundreds of heat packs, and even changed the dressing on my nose tube so it would be more comfortable. The day before, Sarah shared that she had a way to wash my hair without getting my incision wet, and looking forward to this, she got me through that very tough day.

Toward the end of Sarah's last shift with me, as a break from the repletions, Sarah washed my hair. It had been more than a week since my hair was clean, and this was one of the highlights of my hospital experience. I felt like a new person afterward. Saying goodbye to Sarah that night was sad, but Sarah had given me so much strength, and in the next few days, I continued to get better. As evidenced here, Sarah continuously went above and beyond their duties as a nurse. I know there are many other small things Sarah did that I can't possibly remember, and I also know Sarah had a permanent impact on my life. I will forever be grateful for the compassion, patience, and understanding Sarah showed me.