I entered the ER coughing up blood and terribly frightened. Teresa was my nurse. As she tended to me over the next 11 or 12 hours (into the next shift) and as I moved back and forth from ER to ICU, I felt a bit helpless. The coughing and blood continued until a pause around 3 AM, when my husband left to catch some sleep. And then it started up again. I want Teresa to know that she was extremely helpful, as well as instructive, steady, compassionate, and respectful. She taught me to use the suction device, pointing out the benefit of pulling the blood out versus inhaling it back in. She kept checking back, looking me in the eyes and making me feel seen and human. It was important to me to watch my SpO2 number, and she kept the monitor in my sight as I focused on calming my panic and breathing. From covid to interactions with staff and visitors, I never once felt unsafe. Many details about my time at Swedish are mixed up in my mind, but I do remember the steady, compassionate, and dignified care of Teresa. Teresa, I lived! Thank you, thank you.