Angels

A Nurse by Any Other Name

They told her there was no other nurse in the operating room, but she knew better.

By Sharon Sigler

Surgery terrified me, but my doctor said it was necessary. “God, please be with me,” I asked as I sat in my hospital bed waiting. Finally a nurse came in. “I’ll escort you to the operating room,” she said, and helped me into a wheelchair. In the hallway another nurse caught up with us. “My name’s Joy,” she said. “And I’ll be with you, too.”

Joy didn’t leave my side, even as the anesthetic started to work on me. Just before I went under, Joy gently placed her hands on either side of my face. Her touch was so delicate. My fears left me and I felt completely at peace.

Back in my room after surgery, I told the other nurse how Joy had relaxed me with her touch. “Is she still on duty?” I asked. The nurse assured me there was no one on staff named Joy, and that she alone had accompanied me to the operating room. I knew better.