My fiancé and I lost our home in the Sonoma County fires. She was pregnant and the weekend before we had just finished our baby's nursery.Losing our home made me feel like less of a man.This doesn't make sense to many, but I felt that I could no longer protect my family.I had been sober for five years and after the fire, I broke my sobriety.This as well as developing pneumonia landed me in the hospital.
I was scared, humiliated and full of shame.I even thought about ending my life.I encountered many nurses during my stay, all were great, but one stood out amongst the rest.Hannah Egge proved to be my living angel.From the moment I met her, I felt at ease.We discussed what led to my relapse and went over how my detox would go.It wasn't easy but Hannah helped me during my worst hours.
I never felt judged, only kindly cared for.It wasn't only for how Hannah cared about me but also my fiancé.She was our glimmer of light.Each day she would greet us with a smile and a good laugh, and without humor, I don't think I would have made it.Hannah made us feel there is hope.She helped me realize that there is hope for people like me.She encouraged counseling through Kaiser's mental health, which we have been attending.I just want the folks at Kaiser to know she touched our lives.My fiancé and I welcomed our baby girl and I am sober, healthy and cherishing my life.