I became a stroke survivor in 2019. It has been a long road to recovery, with some stumbling blocks along the way. When I find myself stuck in a rut and my resolve waning, I remember my experience as a patient on Stony Brook’s Stroke ward and my angel who made me realize there was life after stroke. I was transported from a nursing facility to SBUH’s emergency room after having a second stroke within a month of the first. After the neurologist confirmed my diagnosis, I was transferred to the 13th floor. I arrived at 13N without hope and was convinced that another stroke was imminent. On my first night, I met my nurse, Kristin. Little did I know that meeting Kristin would change my life and my mindset. I began having horrific nightmares, and when I called out in fear, it was Kristin who held my hand and whispered assurances in my ear. She reached out to my daughter so I could be consoled by her. Night after night, the same nightmare continued, and I was blessed that Kristin was there to comfort me. As my brain began to rest and unscramble, my conversations with Kristin gave me my first glimmer of hope that life could return to normal. She was a life preserver in a vast sea of hopelessness. One night, as I screamed out after a nightmare, another nurse approached my bed. I asked her for Kristin. She advised me that Kristin was the charge nurse and that she would get her for me. Little did I know that Kristin was carrying the weight of the ward on her shoulders but still had time to be at my bedside whenever I called. When I was ready to leave Stony Brook for rehab, I said goodbye to my safety net and took Kristin’s assurances with me. She held my hand as I said goodbye. Her words of encouragement and compassion kept me going through my first steps and all my months of therapies and testing. I have no doubt Kristin found her calling as a nurse. Our paths crossed that night for a reason. She was put in my path to give me hope. Anyone who is fortunate enough to see Kristin smile at them and say, “Hi, I’m Kristen, I’ll be your nurse today” is indeed blessed. ​