Cara Takens, BSN, RN

I needed surgery to remove my gallbladder. I am currently 34 weeks pregnant, so I was trying to keep it together, but I was terrified. I was placed on the table to prepare for surgery and the assisting nurse, Cara, caught me starting to cry. She was so nice, and she just radiated warmth and comfort. She said, “hey, it's okay to cry”, and wiped the tears out of my eyes for me. She stroked my forehead, then placed the oxygen mask over my face. After that, I just remember her holding and stroking the back of my hand gently, as I was put to sleep. The entire interaction I had with this nurse was maybe 5 minutes long, but it is definitely something that has struck with me since, and I am grateful for her calming energy.