I was diagnosed with heart disease 25 years ago (Mio cardiomyopathy). Never paid attention. No symptoms. Just went on living my life. Fast forward to 2024. I decided to have my EF measured again, it was low-mid 20's, uh oh. Heart Cath, test after test, BW after BW, appointment after appointment after appointment.

It was 2025 when the subject of a BIVICD implant came into focus. Me - "Your decision, and it should help your heart." My wife - "Honey, please go through with it." I denied for weeks; I didn't need the procedure. Well, I chose Tuesday, I'm being prepped/pre-procedure in the cath lab. I was hesitant and full of anxiety and fear. As the nurse care team prepared me, I noticed a nurse standing by the nurse's station. I thought nothing of it, and she even walked into the pre-op room to assist. Her tag reads, Julie, Asst Nurse Manager. I didn't make a mental note of it.

As they wheeled into the procedure room, I became literally terrified. My wife had just kissed me and told me she loved me, but at that moment in time, it felt like forever ago. They shuffled me onto the procedure cart. I began to be terrified. Tears were dripping from the corners of my eyes. I felt a hand clasp my left hand. It was Julie. I will never forget looking into her eyes at that moment as I cried. While clasping my hand, she spoke words of comfort, "It will be ok, you will be fine. You can trust us." I then fell into oblivion. I awoke in post-op, cleared my eyes, and Julie's face was the first I saw. She was again holding my hand. She said, "You are ok, all went well." I reached over, clasped her hand and said, "You are my angel." Oh, those eyes. Compassion, kindness, sincerity, respect, and consoling - those are inherent qualities.