Gratitude Letters To Nurses

Thank you Lead Health for sharing these stories!

Shelby’s Nurse Story

Around a year ago, my partner received a tough cancer diagnosis, leading to surgery to remove tumors at Kaiser Permanente Roseville. Throughout the recovery period, lasting just over a week, we had several nurses caring for us. However, one nurse stood out for her unbelievable kindness and empathy. She was genuinely interested in my partner's situation, it never felt like it was just her job, and even shared a book she read and her own experience of supporting her mother through a similar diagnosis. Surprisingly, she had a spare copy on hand, intending to give it to a colleague, but instead chose to pass it on to us. Since then, this book has become an integral part of our journey of navigating my partner's cancer battle and profoundly altered our perspective on life. To her, it may have been a small selfless act, but to us in a time of vulnerability - it was profoundly human and we needed it.

I doubt that that nurse realizes the extent to which it has helped us, we never really got to say it, so shout out to her and all nurses who go to that next level of compassion! Thank you for taking the time to form a connection with us and in turn, leaving a lasting impact on our journey.

Pagano’s Nurse Story 

Navigating the complexities of a high-risk pregnancy with identical twins was daunting for my husband and I, especially with the added stress of pre-eclampsia. Amidst this challenge, one nurse provided invaluable emotional support, serving as a consistent source of comfort during our darkest moments. 

As first-time parents, her empathetic listening and genuine concern helped us navigate overwhelming emotions - she led by example, approaching everything with grace and strength. She advocated for us, encouraging me to compile questions for the doctors amidst our daughter's rapid decline. Even amidst exhaustion, she uplifted me, acknowledging the effort to maintain composure while advocating for our daughter, Payton. 

Beyond her professional duties, she took the time to get to know us personally, asking about Payton's twin sister, Parker, our dogs, and our lives outside the hospital walls. Her unwavering support continued through Payton's final moments, she attended her celebration of life and remained in touch afterward. 

Even as she left for a new assignment in Alaska, her love and support remained, guiding us through grief with comfort and compassion that showed how nursing and caring for others was her true calling. We are forever grateful for the light she brought into our darkest days and the enduring love she continues to provide - so to her and all nurses like her, we say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for bringing comfort, compassion, and care without a prescription to a time we didn’t expect to find it.

Jaeda’s Nurse Story

In 2021, one of the most devastating experiences befell me and my family. I was eight months pregnant when, during a routine sonogram, I was told they couldn't find the heartbeat. 8 months of feeling and knowing him, and within seconds and in 5 words or less, I was basically told I never would. 

They rushed me to the nearest hospital to be induced, and while it was a disaster in many ways, emotionally and legitimately, there was one person who helped me through hours of labor after the worst news of my life to a stillbirth - the labor and delivery nurse who took control and got me through it when no other healthcare provider there could. There were many things that went wrong that day, but she was not one of them. She was a gift. She didn't just wear her nurse's cap; she wore numerous hats that day. She provided immense comfort to me and my family during our time of desperate need, and even now, we often reminisce about her remarkable courage, unwavering sympathy, and heartfelt care. 

I never got to see her after, to say thank you, to explain just what her touch and words did for me during this time. It felt as though she was as invested as we all were. I didn’t mean to let the time go and that experience feel thankless. 

I don’t know where she is, so to all labor and delivery nurses, on behalf of the one that stood down in darkness with me, thank you for helping us in the hardest and more vulnerable moments. Your strength and kindness will never be forgotten in my family. P.S We had another baby!

Do you have stories or insights to share? We'd love to hear your story!