... I am 31 years old. I have been a nurse at Sanford for 10 years on the Resource Team. I unfortunately was hospitalized in September after having a stroke which came as a complete shock to me and my family/friends. I found out that I had a hole in my heart, called a pfo. A couple of weeks after I was discharged from the hospital, I decided to have it closed. It was a simple heart cath procedure that we as healthcare workers don't think twice of; safe and easy usually. I was very apprehensive about this procedure, and was scared to death.

The day came to have it done, as I went into the Day Unit in the early am. As I was wheeled into the cath lab, I was very tense. I had so many thoughts, from nerves about the procedure to the fellow co-workers who were about to see my groin. All modesty is usually out the window every day at work, which is not a big deal... Until it's you on the table! As soon as I was pushed through the door, my hand was grabbed and held so caringly by Kasey Oberg. I know her as Kasey Murphy, we went to the same high school. I graduated with her younger sister. She immediately asked if I was comfortable with her in the room, and I answered honestly YES. As everyone got me ready and on the table, she told me stories of her sister's children and made me laugh hysterically. It was a godsend to have her there as she eliminated my nervousness. I thanked her afterwards, but in my mind she deserves way more.