I was playing pickleball at the Milwaukee Sports Complex in Franklin recently. I was on a break, talking with some other players, when I suddenly went down as explained to me — I honestly don't remember. This nurse happened to also be at the Complex playing pickleball. My understanding is that some players yelled out "Man down" and she came running over, immediately started CPR, then had to use the defibrillator that was at the facility, thank goodness, and then mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and I finally responded. She literally saved my life!! I was taken to St. Luke's by ambulance, was evaluated and an emergency surgery was scheduled. I received quadruple bypass surgery from the most wonderful, kind, caring, friendly surgeon, and his team and was then taken to intensive care for recovery. We were astounded and grateful beyond words to this woman who came to my rescue but did not know who she was. Well, someone from our pickleball group contacted us about who our "angel" was and that she just happened to work at St. Luke's cardiac care unit on the 8th floor. How incredible is that? I'm not sure if it was the same day or the next, but she came down to intensive care to check on me then went out to the waiting room to meet my wife and one of our sons. They were overwhelmed with gratitude and delighted that she took the time to check on us and then to find that she is a delightful human being who explained exactly what happened. Emotions were intense, to say the least. My son felt like he and his brother needed to do something immediately, so he did some investigation on what she likes, favorite restaurant, etc., and found that she likes many things including wine. I think they needed to do something immediately so my son left to purchase wine, and a card, and could not wait to take it to the floor where she was working. She stopped in several times to see me and to talk with my wife. In a time when we only hear about the bad, the ugly, and the shocking-to receive the compassion, professionalism, concern, encouragement, and smiles that she gave to us was and is appreciated beyond words — we will never ever be able to thank her enough.

Note: This is Tessa's 2nd DAISY Award!