I recently had a hip replacement. My nurse for the day surgery was Cassie. When you have a lot of pain and mentally are concerned about what the procedure will do to change your health situation, it is a day full of thoughts which are full of apprehension that are with you as each minute of the day passes.

My husband was by my side. He is the best support person. I have been blessed with him for 47+ years. Neither of us feels we are medically savvy. We had many questions which we were seeking answers for our anticipated real or unrealistic concerns regarding my surgery and recovery process.

Cassie was welcoming from the first moment I was assigned to her care. She had a quiet presence and a professional manner. She was attentive to us. You felt comforted by her words and actions. She gave us confidence that the team had the ability to do the procedure by her knowledge responses to all our inquiries.

The surgery went wonderfully. Cassie then observed my post-surgical recovery. She watched for my anesthesia to wear off so she could get me up and walking. She worked to have me complete the necessary tasks so I could leave for home. With her encouragement, I was up and walking. It was a wild feeling not to have the pain I lived with before surgery.

Next, she explained our tasks for the initial home recovery period over the next two weeks. She set us up with medication needed at home, and my husband picked them up while my anesthesia wore off. She explained all the restrictions and why they were necessary. She reviewed all the books and paperwork items to be aware of for the home recovery period. She also coordinated with other team members to address needed recovery items outside of her expertise.

I am sure I am not the first or last patient whom Cassie has guided through a day surgery. What I would like to say is that she was a calming presence on a day that, for me, was filled with apprehension and fear. I truly appreciated her professionalism and care.