I was admitted to UW Hospital for emergent spinal decompression surgery. I can't fully remember what days Melissa was my nurse (heck I don't even have her full last name) as my entire life was turning upside down while I was in the hospital. What I do specifically remember was needing a lot of help, compassion, and understanding. Melissa was all of these things and more. I remember being embarrassed and ashamed of things that I could no longer control. I was forced to be humble. I know all nurses help everyone in these situations and are used to it. But patients all have jobs too and we have things we don't like to do in our jobs. Patients all feel guilt for making unpleasant jobs. We all feel shame in exposing ourselves, both with our mental and physical weaknesses and insecurities, and with that exposure comes vulnerability. What Melissa did for me was fully understand and reassure me it was okay. All my nurses during my recovery attempted to do this as well, but somehow Melissa made me believe it. It wasn't with complicated explanations, stories or humor (she is funny, but it was not part of how she helped), it was just like she believed it was okay and I needed to as well. I am not even sure how to describe what she did. She just really believes it. It was just all genuine and real. Her compassion is real and tangible. It was what I needed the most at the time and she gave it freely. She helped me lose my shame and keep my waning sanity when I was most vulnerable. When I knew I was nearing the last few hours of Melissa's final shift with me, I did thank her directly. I knew my eyes, the tears I was holding back, the tone and inflection were saying more, and I think she understood. I am writing this not so much so she will get an award and that it gets read in front of a bunch of people, I more or less just hope she gets a chance to read this message, so she knows she made a difference at least to me.