I was hospitalized at the Swedish Medical Center Englewood campus after a stroke. I was initially in the Cardiac Critical Care Unit as there wasn’t room for me in the Neurology Critical Care Unit, and Eric was one of my overnight nurses. While all of my nurses at SMC were outstanding, Eric really stood out as exceptional because of how he went above and beyond to help me understand my diagnosis and treatment.

Even though my diagnosis was outside of his typical cardiology patient, he answered every one of my questions thoroughly and promised to find out answers to my questions that he didn’t know immediately offhand. Each time he came back with an answer and addressed all of my concerns, which provided a lot of relief during a scary time. Perhaps because I was asking so many questions, he offered to bring me detailed information about my diagnosis so I could read up on things from a trusted source.

I expected him to bring a printed page or two to supplement the booklet I had already been given, but he returned with a stack of ~60 pages detailing different types of strokes, how they are diagnosed, associated risks, treatment and prognosis, and detailed drug information on all of the medication I was taking. It was simply a wealth of information, and I think he intuitively understood that what I needed more than anything was information to help me understand and process what had happened to me. This knowledge provided so much comfort by helping me understand my diagnosis and what to expect going forward, and I have read and reread it so many times post-discharge as I continue in my recovery.

I am so grateful he had the insight and took the time to give me the tools I needed to help me process this huge change in my life. Of course, this was all on top of the excellent nursing care he provided while I was sick with nausea and feeling miserable. While it’s easy to feel ashamed of vomiting in a hospital hallway after an MRI, feeling exposed in a hospital gown, and generally feeling the worst you ever have in your life, I never felt that way when Eric was my nurse. I just felt comforted and taken care of, and I am grateful for the kind attentiveness and excellent care he provided while I was at SMC. Thank you, Eric, and to all of the incredible nurses that cared for me during my hospitalization. I am truly grateful.