Nurses don't get as much credit as they deserve. No, a nurse didn't do my brain surgery. No, a nurse didn't explain to my family what was going on with my procedures. But I always had one with me 24/7 if I needed someone. They dealt with A LOT.

After my stroke, I was in the Neuro ICU for about two months. During that time, I made friends with a lot of my nurses (I mean, what else was there to do?). For the first few weeks, I don't remember anything. From what I'm told, I was a real pain to deal with. I yelled at anyone that made me eat or move, I complained about any extra noise, and I was fed up with the neuro tests that I was given every hour. Even though I was a real jerk, my nurses seemed to like me.

There was one nurse in particular that I really loved, and this is for her.

Sam,

Thank you for dealing with my attitude. Even when I was incoherent, I know I gave you a lot of lip. You told me point-blank what was about to happen, whether I liked it or not. I got annoyed with a lot of the people that took care of me pretty easily (you included), but you always would ask "Are we still friends?" after I got mad. The answer was always "Yes".

If anyone else had put my feeding tube in, I would have thrown a fit. I knew that it was coming, but I didn't realize how soon. When you explained it all to me, I immediately responded with, "Wait... Are you giving me a feeding tube?", but you didn't get annoyed. You coolly told me that I would need to stay still and keep calm, and I did. I was mad, but I knew that it was for my own good.

Thank you for making me feel like a real person while I was cooped up. You braided what little hair I had left (even though I don't remember it), and you kept me company. You would sit with me and distract me while my IVs were being changed. You kept me as calm as you could.

When I asked for more IV pain medicine (even though I had LITERALLY just gotten some), you told me to stop and that I was fine. You were right. I was just looking for something to complain about.

Thank you for taking me outside for the first time in over a month even though you weren't supposed to leave.You kept at me until I agreed to go outside. You loaded me in my wheelchair and brought me all the way downstairs and outside of the hospital. You pushed me around the block even though you didn't have to.

When I was finally discharged from ICU to rehab, I was actually kind of sad to leave. I was going to miss you so much. I was glad to be going home, but I was really upset to leave you behind. I was hoping that you would be working that day, and you came to see me off. You even gave me a hug when I left.

When I had more tests in Baltimore, I was hoping that they would be somewhere that I could visit you, but they weren't. I tried to, but I couldn't hide my disappointment. I don't have any more follow-up appointments, but I want to come visit you and show you how well I'm doing.

I miss you, Sam.

I hope I'll see you soon.

Love,

Neve