The day before my 31st birthday, I had surgery for a sentinel lymph node biopsy. I had some melanoma removed from my leg a few weeks prior. Although all the cancer was contained in the margins and I had a high survival rate, one of my genetic reports suggested a sentinel lymph node biopsy be done since I had a greater than 10 percent chance of spreading to the lymph nodes. I was extremely stressed over the situation. As a mother of three kids ages 5, 3, and 10 months, I knew having the procedure and making sure the cancer hadn’t spread was the right thing to do.

When I came out of surgery, I met my post-op nurse Jennifer. Not only was she kind and caring, but I also could not believe her story! She too, in her thirties with a few young kids and a baby, had the same surgery I did to remove melanoma in her back. She shared that she had to have a sentinel lymph node biopsy as well and eventually the removal of more lymph nodes from her leg. I was so amazed that God placed this nurse in my life at the exact time I needed her. She brought me so much encouragement as she related to everything I was going through, not only physically but mentally as well. I genuinely felt like “we were in this together.” Jennifer recalled the moment when the doctors told her she was cancer free after having her lymph nodes removed and that she was going to live to see her babies grow up. She encouraged me that I would too and that I made the right decision by having this procedure done. I loved that I was able to ask her questions about side effects and she was able to answer them not only from a medical standpoint but also with having personal experience as well. I cannot say enough good things about Jennifer. She genuinely cared about me that hard day, and I found a friend in her. I truly hope our paths cross again one day and that she realizes what a blessing she was to me.