Delightful Nurses

 I had such wonderful nurses while I was at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.  I love how you realize what a small world it is.

My first nurse when I was in ICU, I knew!  Won’t say her name here but, my mom taught her in second grade.  When she was a senior and big into dance and volleyball, I was her families pet sitter when they would go to competitions and tournaments.  I have to admit this helped coming out of surgery and settling into ICU.  That first night is pretty brutal.  You know something is different and wrong but you’re still pretty doped up so it’s scary and confusing.  It helped to know my nurse.

My second or third or...nurse was a funny one.  Pretty much was like a small fairy that flit around at top nurse speed.  She always said, “my friend” when referring to me.  Drove Grif nuts.  It just made me giggle.  She was one of the happiest nurses I think I’ve ever met.  I imagine a difficult thing to be, in a cardiac ICU....especially after more than a year of Covid.

My first nurse out of ICU will always hold a special place in my heart.  She reminded me of my beautiful Natali.  After talking a bit and sharing pictures of our dogs, she noticed Natali in one of the photo’s with Annie.  She too was adopted from Guatemala.  She became a nurse.  Natali has had a desire to become a nurse.  There were so many similarities between her and Natali.  It was slightly weird.  Both rather spicy and definitely can handle themselves and know what they want.  The nicest part is that she let me know about a Guatemala adoption group on Facebook that Natali should join.  I was so excited.  She also said through that she could connect with her to talk about becoming a nurse and what it takes to get there.  Went way above and beyond her nurse duties.

Then finally there is the darling nurse who let me ask all kinds of questions about Kuwait (where she grew up); being Muslim in America, food, dating as a traditional Muslim.  I asked her so many questions.  She was never impatient or felt insulted.  When I learned for the third time that at first I could go home, nope had to stay another night she is the one who hugged me and let me cry on her shoulder.  One of the most gentle souls I have ever been blessed to meet.

I love meeting souls who have found their calling.  My heart surgery and stay was so much better because of the delightful nurses.  To all the nurses out there...Thank you for all you do!!!