My wife has a rare chronic pain disease call complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). It is the most painful condition known to man and is considered more painful than amputation. CRPS can cause her to develop high blood pressure which can result in heart attack or stroke. It can cause visual problems. And it can cause severe pain that she says feels like she is on fire 24 hours a day. It is always a battle to get medical care when her pain is bad.
I just wanted to tell you that the care my wife received from Nichole was superb. We live two hours away and have four children. It was hard for me to leave my wife each day and wonder if she was being cared for. But when I saw how caring Nichole was, how attentive she was, that she really wanted to be kind to my wife, I knew I was safe to leave and trust that my wife was in good hands. My wife later told me that when she was in pain, Nichole came in and sat down with her and helped her work through the pain until the pain medication kicked in. Now that's a caring nurse.
There was something special about Nichole. She has that unique, fire in her belly for people. Her work isn't just a job.
A few days after my wife was discharged, she ended up being readmitted to a local hospital as she couldn't take the 2-hour trip due to the pain. Unfortunately, our experience there was not pleasant and it just solidified how special Nichole is.
Nichole is what nursing is about. She cares about her patients. It's not just about pushing the pills or answering questions or filling out your paperwork. It's holding someone's hand when they are scared or feeling lonely or helping them work through the pain. It's reminding them that they are strong, that all the days won't be as dark as they are today. That someday the sun will shine again. (My wife made me write that.) So please, tell Nichole how much she is appreciated. Because she was by us and we're betting that she is appreciated by many other patients as well.