I was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. I checked into the hospital to have surgery so they could remove the piece of colon with cancer. My surgery went well, and Dr. S is an amazing, nice, compassionate surgeon. After surgery, I was moved into the ICU for three days to try to get control of my pain.

On day three, I woke up, finally not blinded by the pain, and met my nurse that day, whose name was Stacey. She told me I would be getting up and walking that day. I was quite scared of everything, but especially the pain coming back as it had been. Stacey got me up and moving and was the kindest, nicest, most caring nurse I have ever encountered.

All through the day, whenever I had a pain or anything going on, she would explain exactly what was going on and why, all the while encouraging me to get moving around (helps the GI start working and everything else). With her help and encouragement, I made four laps around the hospital, decided to get off IV narcotics, and ate food for the first time in four days. Really, that day I turned the corner on my recovery.

After that day, they decided to move me out of the ICU, and it had everything to do with Stacey helping me to get motivated to move and all her knowledge and support. I was actually sad to be moving because I would no longer have her as my nurse. The next morning, on my first lap around the hospital, I walked straight to the ICU to hug Stacey and show her how well I was doing.

Honestly, everyone, my whole five-day stay here has been so nice and helpful and kind. But after having Stacey as my nurse, I swear she is the best I’ve ever encountered in every way possible. This hospital is so lucky to have someone like her working here. She really made my experience the best it could be.

When I learned I needed surgery to remove the cancer they had found recently, I immediately freaked out. I had so much fear and anxiety leading up to surgery. Because I was so scared, I shared my past experiences in the hospital with my surgeon’s office. They assured me this stay was going to be completely different, and it was.

This stay was amazing and went so well. I actually do not want to leave since I’m safe and so well taken care of here, but it’s not up to me, so today I go home. I am healing nicely, they say, and there’s no need for me to stay any longer.

I never thought I’d ever want to stay longer in a hospital, but I do wish I could stay here thanks to Stacey and the wonderful staff at Jefferson Healthcare.