I graduated from Calvin University in 1989 and spent the majority of my nursing career in Labor & Delivery. I discovered my favorite place was the operating room, earning me the affectionate nickname the “OR Queen.” I welcomed the challenges of high-risk patients and was committed to supporting patients experiencing perinatal loss. These moments contributed to the nurse I became and the stories I share.

The idea for When There Are Two Patients in One Body came from these memories. On a long hike with my husband, I recounted several birth stories I’d remembered over the years, and he said, “You should write a book.” I had never kept a journal, or this book could have been hundreds of chapters long. That moment made me realize it was time to honor these stories on the page.

Family is central to my life. I cherish my adult children and grandchildren, and I’m grateful to be part of a meaningful faith community.