It is difficult for me to pick just one instance where Emily Cox had helped me, guided me, or made me feel like I mattered. The last 49 days of my life have been by far the hardest, saddest, and darkest of my 32 years. It didn’t take long for me to fall into a depression. The beeping machines you’re connected to somehow become louder than a fire alarm. I couldn’t focus on anything but the pain and those damn beeping machines. By this time I’ve seen a lot of nurses and aides come in and out of my room. Each and every one was good in their own respect, and I am grateful for them all. And then one night, Emily got stuck with me. We clicked right away. She was a bright light in a sea of darkness. She was kind & patient, caring but stern when she had to be. She was relatable and she tried to understand your pain; not just fix it. You can tell how much she loves her job and she’s so good at it. I don’t have just one situation to list where Emily made an impact on me or my life. Every time I’m lucky enough to have her as my nurse, is a day that she has an impact on me. What’s meaningful to me, are the little things. Hectic day or not, she will always make time for me. She doesn’t just check on my physical health, but mental health as well. She brings me my favorite snack and a fresh drink every night at med time. She remembers our conversations and on a day when she has a hundred things going on, she still makes me feel like a priority. And I know all her patients are as lucky as I am to know her. This hospital is lucky to have her and know her as well. She gave me a reason to keep pushing and to keep smiling when all I wanted to do was give up. She knew nothing of my life or my past, but she was ready and willing to stand there and help me fight those demons, because she thought my life was worth living another day. This experience has been the hardest thing and most painful thing I’ve ever had to endure, but because of people like Emily millions of people like me can see the light at the end of the tunnel and keep fighting for their lives that are all worth living. Sometimes it's not just about being a good nurse, but being a good person, because at the end of the day we’re all just trying to get by. Emily gave me courage, she gave me friendship, and she gave me hope. The impact she’s had on me will stay with me through all the battles I fight both physically and mentally, because I know I’ll never be fighting alone. Thank you Emily.