For most of the last year, I had been dealing with debilitating physical health issues, and emotional issues due to the loss of loved ones. I had lost most of the use of my dominant arm and dealt with the pain involved. The day before I was scheduled to have surgery to repair my arm, I needed to have emergency spinal surgery to prevent lower body paralysis. I was devastated, yet very lucky to have met a very special nurse during my hospital stay. My nurse, Toya, has the ability to make you feel that life will improve for you and that helping you is not an imposition. She has a rare sense of knowing what is going on with you. She recognizes both your emotional and physical pain and she goes right for it. She will happily do whatever she can to make you feel better. She gave me hope during a time when I felt absolutely hopeless. Her unselfish presence is a powerful medicine! She made me feel like I mattered, and that my life will get better. These special and rare qualities deserve the highest recognition!