Elvira Rzayeva is an expert nurse and a hero. I think she might have saved my life during a recent unplanned hospital stay. I will be forever grateful to her and her team. I'm a scientist and mom to a 10-month-old boy. In early September, I was admitted to Mayo Hospital after a tumor ablation that should have been an outpatient procedure. I had a strong pain reaction and found myself in complete agony for almost 48 hrs. I was scared out of my mind and could barely communicate or move due to the extreme pain. My husband and son were not allowed to visit due to the ongoing pandemic. Elvira and the whole medical team I met on 7West were angels - they tried to comfort and distract me - asking me about my baby helping me use my breast pump and holding my hand - all while expertly managing my care. Elvira made sure the medical and surgical teams were updated on my condition and coordinated pain management and follow-up imaging to figure out what was going on. When my breathing rate dropped dangerously low and I started to lose consciousness she quickly and confidently stopped my patient-controlled fentanyl and called in a rapid response team. Being on high alert she stayed with me kept me awake and showed incredible kindness - conveyed while having to wear a facemask in the middle of a pandemic nonetheless. I have vivid memories of her rubbing my sternum while trying to get me to talk about my little boy. She pressed the medical team for alternative pain management and I started to feel better within a day after the narcotics were stopped. Elvira made a huge difference in my care with her confidence and skillful expertise. Her infinite compassion made a horrible experience so much more tolerable. I want to thank her and her team on 7West from my heart. I will keep them in my thoughts!