Tatiana was my nurse after I had a seven-hour emergency surgery to remove a cancerous mass in my abdomen. Those first few days were a blur, but when I started waking up more, Tatiana was there to help bring me back to health. She went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable and was such an advocate for me when I didn’t know how to be one for myself. She pushed me to get stronger and was there to hold my hand when I got my unfortunate diagnosis.

At the age of 24, I lost my ability to have children and had to learn to live with a colostomy. She helped educate me and my family on how to care for me at home. She explained things to my husband and me in such a clear way, making sure we were never confused. When I didn’t want to get out of bed, she helped pick me up and regain my strength. I don’t believe I would have been half as strong and good-spirited when I left had she not been there for me in my darkest days. There’s no combination of words that can express how grateful I am for her.