I was recently reading an article from the Journal of Neuroscience Nursing about the role of the nurse in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.  This article struck a cord in me. (Perhaps a spinal cord?  OK, bad pun.)  I started to think about all of the nurses that I’ve come across…not only in the work setting but in my personal life. 

In 2003, I found myself in a whirlwind of something new and strange and at the time, very scary.  I was diagnosed with relapse-remitting MS.  I’ve come a long way since that initial diagnosis and I credit a lot of it with the assistance of some terrific nurses.

I have the deepest respect for nurses.  You are truly a special population and do not get enough credit for all that you do.  So I wanted to say thank you to all nurses out there from the bottom of my heart and especially…
 
Thanks to the emergency room nurses who listened to my story and were a little more tactful and delicate than the physician who told me that the “good news” was that I didn’t have a brain tumor or brain cancer and I didn’t have a stroke. 

Thanks to the nurse in the hospital who, after my diagnosis, stood by my bedside at night when the tears would come.  She tried to ease my anguish when I could no longer keep on the good face that I put on for my family during the day.   

Thanks to the neurology nurses and the IV nurses at the MS clinic who continually take the time to talk, give me information about the disease and treatment options, offer support and insight, and most of all, always have a smile. 

Thanks to the nurses I work with who amaze me with their knowledge, passion, and desire to pass it on.  When people find out what I do for a living, they excitedly ask “Oh, are you a nurse?!” And my cheeky response is usually, “No, but I play one on the Internet"" or "No, but I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night," and usually quickly follow up with "…and I work with some great clinical editors who really know their stuff.”

And of course, I have to say thanks to that special labor and delivery nurse who helped bring my son into the world in 2006. 

You all hold a special place in my heart.  Keep doing what you do.

By Kim Fryling-Resare