03/06/2026
One year ago, life felt normal.
I was a pediatric ICU nurse, a travel nurse, making lifelong friends along the way. I was four months into married life. Tommy and I were talking about having kids. I felt content. Fulfilled. Happy.
And then, in a split second, everything changed.
I had no idea what was coming. All I heard on the other end of the phone was, “Your blood work is extremely abnormal.”
A couple weeks later, my world completely flipped. I went from caring for critically ill children to being the patient myself. And let me tell you , being on the other side is HARD. A kind of hard that’s difficult to put into words.
Instead of getting overly sentimental, I want to share a few things I’ve learned along the way:
1. The blood pressure cuff really is annoying. To every 3 year old I told, “It’s ok buddy, it’s just a quick hug” … I’m sorry.
2. IV pumps? I used to think I heard them in my sleep before all of this. Now they genuinely trigger me. I may have “accidentally” restarted my own fluids a few times. Sorry nurses, the nurse in me was just trying to help. 🙈
3. When patients said, “Ew, I can taste the flush,” I definitely doubted them. They were right. You can taste it. And yes it’s ew.
4. When someone seems grumpy, I’ll remember week 6 or 7 in the hospital when I felt like screaming at anyone who walked into my room. Patience goes a long way.
5. I will always say thank you. It matters more than you know.
6. I will never take a single day for granted again.
7. The little things? They’re actually the big things.
8. When nothing makes sense, find one small good thing to hold onto. Sometimes that’s enough to get you through the day.
9. My respect for caregivers, nurses, doctors, techs, paramedics, receptionists, every single role has grown on me in ways I can’t express.
10. IV Decadron pushed too fast absolutely causes an itchy butt. To my tiny patients… I’m so sorry.
11. IV Benadryl >>> PO Benadryl. (IYKYK 😂)
12. You are so much stronger than you think.
13. If you can move your body, do it. Everyday. Because some people can’t.
14. Dark color platelets >>> light color platelets. (IYKYK🤣)
15. Your health is everything. Take care of yourself.
16. Do not skip your annual checkups.
17. All those “things” you GET to do, those are privileges. Don’t forget that.
18. Hard times show you who truly shows up. Those people? They’re family.
19. Choose your spouse like your life depends on it because one day, it might.
20. Hold your people close. Always.
21. Lastly, life can change in an instant. Appreciate every single day you’re given. We truly never know what tomorrow holds.
And finally thank you. Whether you’ve been here since the beginning, somewhere in the middle, or you’re just arriving now… your support means more than I can ever fully explain.
I hope somewhere along this journey I’ve taught you all one or two things. ❤️
Xoxo,
Tia 🫶🏻
