I would like to share how special my RN Jody Hendrix has been.   I came into the hospital to have a golf ball sized tumor to be removed from my throat and have a tracheostomy. I am an active runner and have done triathlons and marathons and have an autistic 8 year old son who needs a lot of care and patience at home. I thought I had built up a lot of mental toughness and patience with my life experiences. For example, with my 8 year old it took months and months and months of patience to learn letters and sounds and what they mean, but we did it.   But the first night after my surgery all of that melted away – my toughness, my patience. I felt so bad, so roughed up, I didn’t think I could make it through. I was told the first 24 hours will be tough and I was not dealing well with it and failing. Where had all my initial toughness and patience gone to?   At one point I got up from my bed to go to the bathroom and stopped and put my head on the wall and tears started. Nurse Jody came into the room, sat me down, and said ok let’s get you through this together.   She noticed the bandage on my neck was a bit too tight and put on a new wrap – instant relief! Then she showed me how to do some deep suctioning to my throat. Felt much better right away. My physical pain was greatly lowered and I could deal with it again.   My emotional and mental strength was almost gone too. She stood next to me in the bed and did the most wonderful thing. She held my hand, just held my hand for a minute. That pulled me all back with her compassion. We sat in silence. I knew I was going to get through this now and all thanks to her and I appreciate that so much and will for the rest of my life. She pulled me from despair and helped me focus and get better. Thank you, Nurse Jody