Lorena was the first day-shift nurse that our baby had in the NICU. She went above and beyond to answer and explain every question we had, and she was so kind and attentive to our baby and us. She brought me a little paper heart from the pump station with my name on it, saying “I know you’re going through a lot right now but here’s something for you.”

The one thing Lorena did that really stood out to me was this: we explained to her how much we wanted our baby to leave the NICU as soon as it was safe to do so, because my dad is in hospice and likely has only a week or so to live. We named our baby after my dad, and we were hoping so badly that my dad could meet him before he passed. Lorena was so kind and empathetic when she heard this story.

That night, Lorena came by my room on the postpartum unit to explain the parts of the pump I would need. She also brought me a little paper heart that she made and stamped with my baby's footprints. She wrote a note on it saying, "I love you from the bottom of my heart to the tips of my toes," to give to my dad from our baby. I immediately started sobbing and told her how much my whole family and I would treasure this forever. She stayed with me for a bit and made me feel so seen and loved.

Lorena not only helped save my baby's life, but was such a tender-hearted friend to me when I needed it the most. I can never thank her enough for what she's done and how she's touched my heart.