I was scheduled to have surgery. I have never been in the hospital before and never had surgery before. I was scared to death. My husband had been with me the entire time prior to being rolled into the surgical waiting area. Having his support helped me get to that point in time without truly even realizing it. When we said our goodbyes, he went into the waiting room as I was rolled into the surgical waiting area. I could feel my heart begin to pound. My anxiety was climbing. The Dr. came to talk to me about the procedure, and right after he walked away, I felt the weight of the world hit me. Every worst-case scenario ran through my head. What if I don't wake up from surgery and so much more? I started to panic thinking of my children not having their mother around and began looking for the release to the side rail because I was ready to run. I started to have an actual panic attack.

I looked up and Tina walked through the doors wearing the biggest and brightest smile. We started talking about our jobs and families. She made me feel as though everything was going to be ok. Even while she was strapping me into the surgical bed, she spoke to me about her kids and my kids. She placed the mask over my face, and I found myself laughing as the anesthesiologist was telling me to take a deep breath in. The last thing I remembered before being put under was her face and her smile and the conversation we were having about her teaching her daughter to drive. That is what helped me get through my surgery. I will never forget what she did for me. I will never forget the way I felt right before and after she walked through the door.