One of the earliest memories I have was when i had to have eye surgery when I was about 4 or 5 years old to remove a chalazion/stye. I can clearly remember one of the nurses holding my hand in the pre-operative room all the way into the very cold OR.

I must have been in a Catholic Children's hospital--because I also remember the surgeon praying prior to the surgery, before I was put to sleep.

I think its easy for healthcare workers to forget how comforting a kind word or prayer can be in such a difficult time. Its something I struggle to remember every time I deal with a patient.