When I came into the hospital, my life had been shattered. I'd gone from an active, healthy person to a person with serious heart issues. I had passed out at work, been rushed to the ER, and spent 3 days in the ICU. During that time, I had multiple tests, scans, and a defibrillator implanted. It was determined that I had developed ventricular tachycardia.

I was discharged and then again a few days later, my heart went into v-tach multiple times, four of which the unit in my chest delivered shocks to my heart. I was once again transported to the ER, then up to ICU then to the cardiac unit where Kassie was the nurse assigned to me. Kassie stood out. She and I clicked immediately. She also clicked with my wife and family. She made us feel at ease. Her demeanor made it easy for me and my family to trust her.

Again, my confidence at that time was shattered. I was able to be discharged again and scheduled to have an ablation procedure a month later. I was glad that Kassie was there that afternoon. She came into my room and told me that my heart was beginning to throw more PVCs, a prelude to V-tach. I was not feeling well at all and she offered to stay until I felt better. Above five minutes later, my heart went into V-tach and my defibrillator fired and put my heart into an unstainable pace of about 298 beats per minute. Kassie acted immediately to get help. A code blue was called on me.

Kassie helped me get through that difficult ordeal by staying in my line of sight and calmly talking to me as she and the rest of the staff worked. She was also there to explain to my wife what happened when my wife arrived at the hospital. I have always believed that God puts the right people, in the right place, at the right time. I am blessed that he brought Kassie into my and my family's lives. She was the right person, in the right place, at the right time. I am grateful for that.