My biggest desire is to become a nurse. When I was in DC, I got appendicitis and had to have my appendix removed at a nearby hospital. At first, I thought it was just an annoying stomach pain that would eventually go away. Then when I ate in the Cannon building (one of three buildings surrounding the capitol that not many people eat at), I threw up all that night. I remember walking around the capitol, holding onto my stomach, wincing in pain. Finally, one night my roommate Manasa called her dad, a doctor, asking him if he could give us any insight into what was going on. I called my mom, and immediately started balling. The pain was so excruciating. Our hall proctor, Miss Allyson, came to get me and took me to the hospital.
My friend Kate accompanied Allyson and me to the George Washington Hospital and stayed with us for 12 hours. I love Kate for being such a great friend. Then, finally, I had the surgery after a night of pain. I stayed in the hospital for four days. I remember waking up and immediately looking at the little white board in my room that read, "Your nurse of the day is:" and then the nurse's name. I observed the nurses quite carefully. They were all so helpful and nice. They didn't get frustrated with me when I could barely get out of bed because of the pain in my stomach. They didn't mind that I had trouble eating foods other than liquids. They held my train of a gown up for me while I attempted to use the restroom. They were wonderful to me, and I owe them everything. They made my stay at the hospital a complete joy.
I want to become a nurse because I want to help people, just as those nurses helped me. I know how scary it can be to be in a hospital, unsure of what's to come next. I would ease their pain by being a caring, happy, supportive nurse. I hope this will all work out for me some day.


This is a poster my Page friends made for me while I was in the hospital. It has little notes from all of the Pages. My friends Olivia, Manasa, Ashley, and Kate brought it to me during my stay.