My recovery from my 20 hour spine surgery was nothing short of a nightmare. It left me unable to move my arms and hands, speak or even swallow because of the extent of my nerve damage. The first memory I have in the ICU was when my nurse, who introduced herself as Sheila Zhang, walked in and had an impact on my recovery that would last a lifetime. She went above and beyond and provided me with the emotional support I didn't know I needed. Sheila took extra time to brush my teeth when my mouth was dry, and even gave me mouthwash! She called my mom and asked her to bring shampoo and conditioner in, and they both spent an hour washing my hair and brushing it. It was my first hair wash in weeks and we chatted and laughed, and it was truly a magic experience. It was these gestures that I will never forget. That same day, I had a doctor come in and tell me I needed an emergency spine surgery because of my complications. Sheila took me down to the pre-op and her presence alone brought me so much comfort in a really scary time. After this, I spent months in the ICU and would get excited when I saw Sheila was my nurse. Even when she wasn't assigned to my care, Sheila would make a point to drop by, offering words of encouragement and reminding me that she believed in me. That gave me the strength to keep fighting. One day Sheila dropped off a gift for me; a handmade, crocheted sun with a smiley face. It wasn't just a gift, it represented Sheila's positive and caring spirit. In the midst of my medical difficulties, Sheila was like a ray of sunshine, not only for me but also for my worried parents. Whenever I look at that crocheted sun, I'm reminded of her as the embodiment of sunshine in human form; someone who not only cared for my physical healing but also nurtured my spirit. Sheila's bright light is a cherished part of my story, one that I'll always remember with so much gratitude.