Surprising a deserving Lyndhurst nurse with a day of pampering and self care

Well, we continue to celebrate National Nurses.

Week and all of the incredible healthcare heroes who put in those long hours and consistently go the extra mile for their patients.

And it is no secret that over the last two years, nurses have not had much time to themselves.

We wanted to say thank you by.

Surprising one local nurse with an entire.

Day of pampering, self care and a.

Makeover with some help from our special 3 news friends. Laura.

Hi, my name is Sarah shukman. I'm with 3News. I bet you have no idea what's going on right now, but we are here to surprise you.

Wow.

Laura Pavelko is a busy mom of two and a dedicated nurse at University Hospitals. On a recent day off, she thought she was headed to brunch.

Your parents had so many nice things to say about the work that you do and how hard you work for your family, but also for all of your patients. This day is gonna be all about you.

For National Nurses Week, we got dozens of nominations for a deserving nurse to pamper. Laura's came from her parents, Ed and Mary Kay.

This is the letter I wrote to Channel 3 to nominate Laura. For almost 18 years, she's worked as a nurse at University Hospitals where she has lovingly cared for neurosurgery patients. Her dedication to her job is reflected on a daily basis.

During the COVID two years, she would talk about and be very emotional about how she felt so bad for these patients that they couldn't be with their loved ones.

Laura told us the last two the pandemic have been the hardest in her career.

A lot of times I'm actually there probably 15, 16 hour days. These patients were alone. We were their only support.

As emotionally draining as that was, how did you come home and continue to take care of your family and deliver for your kids?

The hardest thing for me was like when I come home, my kids would want to give me a big hug and I'm like, don't touch mommy. Mommy has to take a shower and strip all my clothing off. And I was always afraid of bringing this home to my kids.

The only way she's gotten through it all, her supportive family.

We know that this does not make up for those tears or those tough days in any way, but we hope that it just gives you just that small token of appreciation.

Thank you. I appreciate this.

We began by sending Laura to loft at Legacy Village for some retail therapy.

Hi, Laura. I'm Hallie Abrams from the wardrobe consultant, and I get to help style you up today. I am so excited.

I'm excited Cool.

Let's get started. A little birdie told me that you have your daughter's first communion coming up.

Yes, I do.

That's a great thing that we can get you styled up for.

I was just thinking about, what am I going to wear?

After picking out a perfect look for that special day, it was time to head over to Ladies and gentlemen salon and spa to see creative director Patrick Aina.

How do you wear your hair every day?

Just kind of like this or in a ponytail.

With plans for an easy to maintain fresh look, it was time for a cut and some color.

Just going to bring out all the good stuff, right? Yeah. Have fun.

Things are in process here. Time to check in. How are you feeling, Laura?

I'm feeling amazing. This still doesn't feel very real to me right now.

What are you most looking forward to with the finished product here?

My jeans and, you know, T shirt and hoodie and sweatpants when I'm not in scrubs. So I can't wait to see my family to see this.

Now it is time for makeup. That's the finishing touch to all this.

Right.

This is Bailey.

So I'm going to do, I think, more of, yeah, neutral colors going. Eyes.

And finally, the big reveal.

Now it is the moment we have been waiting for. Laura's whole family is here. Okay, Laura, come on out.

Oh, my beautiful.

Thank you.

Hi, guys. Hi, guys.

Laura, you haven't gotten to see yourself yet.

I haven't.

So we've got a mirror right over here. Check it out.

Oh, my gosh. Thank you. Thank you, everybody.

Laura's husband, Scott agrees this day was about so much more than just a new look.

She's working 12 hour shifts, three, four, five days a week. She takes care of her kids, she takes care of me. So, I mean, it's just to have a day where she can take care of herself, and really, that's phenomenal.

It's an awesome experience.

Laura, you look so beautiful.

How are you feeling right now?

Amazing.

We just have to say thank you again for all of the hard work you're doing. I know this isn't a look you'll.

Wear at the hospital, but we are.

So grateful for what you do there for all of your patients and to you and all of your colleagues. Thank you again.

Thank you guys so much. Thank you, everybody. I really appreciate today. Thank you.

It was such a fun day to be a part of. We want to thank Hallie's partners at Legacy Village for making it possible. Loft and the team, ladies and gentlemen.

It was so fun.

Jimmy and Laura was so sweet. She really appreciated everything and we appreciate everyone who wrote to us. I mean there are so many incredible nurses in our area.

I know there are.

Yeah, really. And we've both see a lot of them lately and more stories to come out of all the tips and nominations we received. Thank you to everyone who wrote to us.

Now I love my doctors, okay? And I'm certainly glad they studied hard, passed their boards, did all those things and they've done a great job for me. But I adore my nurses. I have to tell you. I mean I just adore them. I just think that they are just so vital, so important and they become part of your family. So that story and the one we had last night with Monica and that was great.

Yeah. It's a really special week. I'm glad we're honoring all.

We've got more coming up all week long. We do.