Stacey was my day shift nurse on Saturday and Sunday when I was admitted for kidney stone issues. I was in a great deal of pain. Each time Stacey came in, she was honest and positive but real and made sure I not only understood what was happening but also why and how. She allowed me to ask questions without judgment. Who knew you should still be able to urinate when one ureter is blocked? She never made me feel rushed, even when I knew I wasn’t her only patient.

She communicated and responded to me in a way that made me trust her. When I shared with Stacey that I didn’t necessarily feel comfortable with the initial decision that was being made, she advocated for me to continue to be monitored. When I shared that I was still in pain after the pain meds, she believed me. When I shared I couldn’t pee, even when it anatomically should still be possible, she believed me. She helped the providers to hear me in a way I couldn’t. I’m not certain what happened with conversations outside my room, but I eventually was able to get a procedure that was different than the original plan and provided me instantaneous relief.

As I was being wheeled down to surgery, Stacey made sure to say goodbye to me in a way that genuinely made me feel like she valued me as a person. If I had met her in a different circumstance, I think we might have been friends. When I was kept for a second night, I was so happy to see Stacey again the next morning. She let me know how the outside world was (snowy), told me a story that made me laugh, and she once again made sure I was comfortable with what was happening. She anticipated things that might cause me anxiety and made me feel comfortable with going home and what to be prepared for. If I ever land in the hospital again, can I request Stacey? If not, can you say thank you to her and give her a hug for me? She made a really unfun experience better.