I was in the hospital with an untreatable cancer diagnosis, mentally in a dark place, and my entire world was turned upside down. I am a homeless transgender woman struggling with a recent break up, no visitors came to see me, a non-treatable cancer diagnosis, very bad side effects, and what is going to happen now. The clothes I came in were dirty, and I hated wearing the hospital gowns. Marie treated me like we had been friends for years, would come in just to talk to me, was interactive, and showed that she cared.

One night, she came into my room and surprised me with some gifts. She gave me two very cute Lululemon outfits, scented body sprays, lotions, deodorant, a brush, shampoo and more. I was shocked and speechless. She apologized if the clothes might not fit, but I immediately tried them on, and they fit perfectly! She made me feel like a queen. During the times she was my nurse, I felt whole and normal, and Marie made me temporarily forget my problems. I don’t know what my future holds or how long I have left to live, but in those moments, I felt everything was going to be ok. I am not religious, but she is an angel.