When many people think of hospitals, they think cold and lonely. Before my experience at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, I had the same feeling. My little boy was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit at LLUCH and Lucinda was his nurse. When we first walked into the room, our world was upside down, we were in shock and confused—so many emotions running wild. Lucinda greeted us with such compassion and tenderness it was as if we were distant family that had never met. Our family bonded with Lucinda and fell in love with her personality. With my son, it felt like she was taking care of the one and only patient she will ever take care of. She thought of things I would have never imagined. She bonded with my son and as you've heard the quote, "it's the small things that count", I'm a firm believer in that quote after seeing Lucinda take care of my son. She took care of him from his head to his "lil' tamales" (feet, as her uncle called them). I found myself hoping to see her every morning for shift change. Even when she wasn't scheduled to be my son's nurse, she still made the effort to come tell him "hi!". We had pictures of my son up in the room and at least twice a day she would show them off to everyone on the unit. She said, "it's like I'm a proud parent!"
When the time came to learn the results for the possibility of blood flow to my son's brain, Lucinda stayed with us in the room and cried with us. She made sure we knew what was going on and even called a chaplain, to come pray for us. If there is any one in this hospital that deserves the DAISY award, it's got to be Lucinda. I have been trying to think of the perfect gift for this woman and I can't think of a better one than the DAISY Award. Lucinda will always hold a special place in our hearts.