On a Monday in April, I worked a 10-hour shift as a valet at Bronson. On Tuesday I went to see my doctor and by nightfall was admitted and reeling with concern over all that had happened to me. I have thought a lot since then trying to determine "how do you thank the people who saved your life?" One thing I know is this: without Kim Pillars-Wark, my journey would have been much more frightening.

That day I was hospitalized for pulmonary emboli. I had been feeling a slight pain in my calf for a couple weeks, but thought I had pulled something. When I went to see my primary care provider, everything started happening really fast. I was sent for an ultrasound, and from there was told I could not stand up, could not walk, and was whisked away to the Emergency Department. I was told I had a clot the entire length of my right leg. I was sent for an x-ray that showed I had many clots in my lungs, and admitted to the AMU for treatment.

The next day an echocardiogram was done, and I was sent immediately to the MICU. They said I had a very large clot in my pulmonary artery, and I needed to have a treatment in Interventional Radiology. The procedure was scheduled that very day and my wife went with me to meet the physician who would perform the procedure. The description of the procedure (EICHOS procedure) was frightening, but we knew the doctors thought it was the best treatment for me as I was becoming quite short of breath and my heart was enlarging.

During the admission and consent process in Interventional Radiology, Kim was my nurse. She explained everything very thoroughly. Kim did an excellent job educating the entire family. When my wife (who is a nurse) became pale, I told her and our daughter they should wait outside of the IR department, that I was ok. I could tell they were frightened and I did not need that. I was scared myself, but Kim stayed with me and put me at ease. Her demeanor was one of confidence and calm; making me feel safe. I felt like she was my guardian angel.

Kim went with me for the interventional radiology procedure and helped me thorough the entire procedure. She placed my urinary catheter in the room, which was full of her co-workers. I was really nervous about that, but she protected my privacy and acted like it was "no big deal." During the procedure, Kim stood by my head and let the doctor know what rhythms my heart was in when he "tickled my heart" with the heart catheter. I have been married to a nurse for 37 years; Kim's knowledge and competence spoke volumes. I thought "she really knows her stuff!"

I spent the most painful 15 hours of my life in MICU, and then I had to return to interventional radiology for more work. When they wheeled me into the room, I was so miserable and I thought it would be better if I just died. But Kim was there, and she stood at my head again, giving me courage and watching over all that happened to me.

Kim is the one nurse I remember clearly from my 8-day stay for pulmonary emboli. It was obvious to me that was more than just a job to her. She was my advocate in all that came my way in IR. She seemed like a guardian angel to me and I could never have gotten through the worst of it without her. There is no way I can thank her enough for being there for me. Thank you for giving me the will to live and the strength to get through my hospitalization Kim!