Heights. Flying. Spiders. Snakes. These are among the most popular fears people have. But my biggest phobia is being a patient in a medical setting. I have had syncopal episodes while getting a fingerstick or eye drops. And yes, I do know how ridiculous this sounds. I share this background, so you know just grateful I am for the care provided by my OR Nurse, Victoria Caruso.

I was a patient at Mass Eye and Ear Longwood for a scheduled surgery. In the months, weeks, days, hours, and minutes leading up to this appointment, I was riddled with anxiety. An annual physical is bad enough. Surgery? No, thank you. Victoria visited me in pre-op to introduce herself and ask if I had any questions. She graciously agreed to my request to have my eyes closed once they started wheeling me to the operating room and to keep the medical talk minimal until I was under anesthesia. Her entire demeanor was calming and gave me reassurance that I would be in good hands in the OR.

After the interview by anesthesia, the ride to the OR felt too fast. My eyes were sealed shut, but I felt like I was on a roller coaster. Once we arrived in the operating room, I had to move beds. That is not an easy task to do with your eyes closed. My anxiety level was rapidly rising as I heard talk about intubating me. I then started to breathe rapidly. As the oxygen mask was placed over my mouth, I remember laying in the bed, almost blacking out from anxiety… but then I felt Victoria take hold of my hand. At that moment, I suddenly felt like I was going to be fine. I focused on my hand being held until I was under anesthesia. The next thing I knew, I was waking up in post-op.

You may be saying, "Did he really just write a whole nomination based on a nurse holding his hand?" But it was so much more. Victoria is a nurse so caring and compassionate, so in tune with her patient's needs from start to finish, she knew just what I needed and when. For that, I am eternally grateful.