My 67-year-old sister went to her primary Mayo doctor for a flu/cold/cough that wouldn't go away. The pulse oximetry reading showed her blood oxygen level was 70%! She was immediately admitted to the Emergency Department and within hours placed on a ventilator. She had no idea she was so sick!

Diagnosis: Mycoplasma pneumonia. Her lungs were so inflamed she couldn't exchange oxygen properly.

The incredible care she received in the ICU saved my sister's life. For six days, she remained on a ventilator with more meds being infused than one would think a body could handle.

I stayed bedside in the ICU, and while all the staff was incredible, there was one standout for me. Ms. Laura Gruetzmacher, MSN, RN, CCRN.

Laura's skilled, compassionate, and knowledgeable care allowed me to cope with this dire situation. She invited me to listen in and ask questions when doctors made their rounds. Laura spoke up to the docs—advocating that my sister be put on her "at home" anti-nausea medication since the ones prescribed in the ICU made her too drowsy.

Whenever possible, Laura allowed me to assist with my sister's care: braiding her long hair, putting lotion on her, and adjusting "play-dough" pillows. This relieved my feelings of being totally useless. I got to actually do something to assist my sister!!

Laura showed respect for my sister's dignity by never failing to draw the curtain closed during intimate procedures. As part of the pronation team, she made sure every pressure point was covered.

Trying to communicate with someone on a ventilator is no easy task. When pointing to letters on a chart (Laura made herself) didn't work, Laura suggested my sister draw the letters on my hand. Great idea!

The best part about Laura is when I asked her if me being in the room (and in her way), asking tons of inane questions, bothered her. She emphatically replied, "We love having you here, and I'm happy to answer any questions you have."

She said this all while she skillfully navigated 10 infusion pumps, a PICC line, an A-line, and countless wires, tubes, and catheters.

At one point, another nurse called out for help in another patient's room. Laura didn't casually go to assist—she ran to assist without hesitation! What a tremendous team worker.

When Laura noticed I hadn't eaten or drunk anything all day, she brought me graham crackers, peanut butter, and soda. I really didn't want it, and I certainly didn't want her waiting on me. But Laura gently spoke, "Try to eat or drink a little something." We not only care for the patient; we also care for their family.

OMG, those graham crackers and peanut butter were the most delicious thing I've ever eaten!

What else can I say about this incredibly smart superhuman woman who took care of my sister and ME like we were her own family members? And please keep in mind these are only examples of things I can remember! I mostly remember crying and praying—a lot. The whole high-pressure experience of just being in the ICU, as a visitor, is a blur for me. Yet Laura's calm and gentle manner was so comforting that it gave me confidence in my sister's recovery.

My sister did, in fact, fully recover! Doctors said her recovery was miraculous.

Nurse Laura goes above and beyond caring for her patients and their families. She exemplifies the Mayo model of care: The best interest of the patient is the only interest to be considered.

And yet, when my sister was transferred out of the ICU, there was much commotion, and to this incredible nurse, I never even said, "Thank you."

This is my "Thank You" to Laura.