I have been admitted twice due to a bad 13-year-old knee replacement, which keeps going septic. Having trouble walking, sitting on the toilet, etc. There was swelling in the joint, and upon first admission, the fever was 102.8 white cell count of fluid aspirated from the knee was over 48,000. I was being treated with IV antibiotics, vancomycin, and meropenem.

My body bloomed red and severe itching, due to "red man" syndrome, or now known as "VIR" Vancomycin infusion reaction. It became so severe that the Silver Spring Nursing Care Center needed to call an ambulance the next day to transport me back to Holy Cross Hospital, where I was re-admitted to the joint and spine unit. I must commend nurse Claudine Kawaley for her outstanding care and nursing skills that night. She was wonderful, and you need more like her.

She was always prompt and timely when giving medicine. She listened to my concerns and even scratched my back for me. She deserves more than just a letter of commendation or lunch or dinner in her honor. This is going to be a long haul for me. They have already placed a PICC line during my first admission and told me I needed to plan for a six-week course of vancomycin and meropenem, which is how I ended up in a long-term care facility.

I have an appointment later this month with an orthopedic surgeon from John Hopkins to schedule a surgical clean out, removal of old hardware, and then back into surgery for their removal and an entirely new system of hardware installed. Claudine Kawaley is most deserving of this recognition.