My wife had surgery to repair a heart valve and had complications, including heart failure, and was admitted to the Cardiac ICU for 2 months before dying in October. This was the most difficult experience of my life.

During this tragedy, we had a very special nurse, Michelle, who took care of my wife for many days in the ICU. Although we had many wonderful nurses, Michelle was the most caring, compassionate, and highly skilled nurse we experienced.

My wife had ECMO, a ventilator, four chest tubes, a collapsed lung, tracheotomy, infections, internal bleeding, and ARDS, and often needed procedures to treat these conditions. Michelle would often accompany her for procedures, and it gave me such comfort to know that Michelle would be by my wife's side.

I remember one procedure in particular, a pacemaker surgery, that would require a new IV, and my wife already had anxiety from medical procedures and needles. Michelle sat by her side and patiently explained what was happening, and was so careful and compassionate to my wife.

In fact, there were so many moments where Michelle went above and beyond to ensure that my wife would be comfortable during those final days. "Spa" moments to bathe her and play her favorite music, velvet scrunchies for her hair, and so much more. She helped my wife to speak her first words again after her tracheotomy, and I treasured hearing her voice, even if it was only a few words.

She also cared about our family as we watched my wife suffer through her final months. She was always available for a hug or words of encouragement. Seeing Michelle's face at my wife's visitation was so comforting because we knew that she cared about my wife not only as a patient but also as a very special mom, wife, and friend.

Michelle didn't just administer medication; she worked tirelessly and gave incredible care to my wife.