While 37 weeks pregnant, I contacted my OBGYN after experiencing a severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and blurry vision. I was referred to the OB Emergency Department for a preeclampsia workup. That’s when we met our OB nurse, Taylor.

From the moment she entered the room, Taylor was exceptional. Her IV skills were flawless, and she quickly administered medication to help alleviate my symptoms while we waited for lab results. Fortunately, the preeclampsia workup came back negative—but my headache persisted. The OB ED nurse practitioner recommended imaging before discharge, explaining that, while it was likely a migraine, the test could help rule out anything more serious. She ultimately left the decision up to us.

My husband and I took a few moments to discuss whether we wanted to stay for additional testing that would most likely come back negative. That’s when Taylor returned and said, “I actually went ahead and called MRI, and they can take you if we go right now.” Thanks to her initiative, I went for imaging. Afterward, we were informed that two of the three scans were clear, and the plan was to discharge me once the final result came in. A few minutes later, Taylor quietly placed me back on the fetal monitor “just to check on everything” before discharge.

She was so calm and reassuring that we had no idea anything was wrong. Shortly after, the OB ED nurse practitioner returned to inform us that the final scan showed a brain aneurysm. Taylor and the nurse practitioner calmly and clearly walked us through what would happen next. Less than two hours later, our daughter was delivered via cesarean section. Two weeks after giving birth, I underwent successful surgical repair of the aneurysm. Today, we are home—happy, healthy, and endlessly grateful.

If it weren’t for Taylor’s attentiveness, initiative, and calm presence, we may have chosen to leave that day completely unaware of the true, dangerous cause of my headache.

Thank you, Taylor, for your exceptional care and compassion.