I am a 35-year-old teacher. I had never had surgery or been put under before, and I arrived alone to have ankle surgery. After seeing many wonderful staff members, nurse Jill noticed I looked distraught. After a few moments of talking, I felt so comfortable and comforted by this kind woman that I opened up about how my injury occured, and why I was having such a a hard time.

A group of people drugged me, so I have a lot of memory gaps, and tried to abduct me. I thought I was going to die. I was injured while getting away. The ER visit I had experienced after this was also traumatic, and being back in the hospital felt like reliving it all over again. I was especially worried about being put under, out of control, and losing more memories. I was scared, felt sick, and was experiencing PTSD symptoms. Nurse Jill listened, let me cry, encouraged and comforted me, held my hand, soothed me, listened, and made me feel like everything was going to be ok.

I could tell she cared and wasn't going to let anything bad happen to me, and kept coming back to check on me. I believe she privately made others aware of my situation because the anesthesiologist was also wonderful, making me feel extremely comfortable and telling me everything that was happening to me.  I wish I could hug Nurse Jill and tell her how much it meant to me that she was there for me when I didn't have anyone else, without me even asking.

I write this with tears in my eyes because she helped turn a horrifying moment in my mind into a feeling that there were people caring for and helping me. She could have easily brushed past my look of distress. After all who isn't distressed before surgery? But instead, took the time to protect and care for me. I never felt rushed or misunderstood. I felt like I had a guardian angel holding my hand.