Hospitals are scary places to be even for adults, so imagine how terrifying they are for little kids.

Shade Thompson is a 5 year-old boy who had to undergo two surgeries in quick succession. His mother Layla explained that Shade was having trouble walking, only taking steps with his toes rather than with his feet. Doctors at UPMC Susquehanna Health in Williamsport, Pennsylvania took good care of Shade, but after his surgery, he had to be in a wheelchair for two months.

“He’s been through a lot this last year,” Layla said. “We had been in the children’s hospital, so we were kind of nervous just going to a hospital to have it done.”

When Shade finally recovered, he had to have a second surgery that involved doctors cauterizing his tonsils, adenoids and both sides of his nose. Thankfully, the surgery was a huge success, but things took a turn for the worse when Shade woke up from anesthesia and realized he was in the hospital alone without his mom.

“Kids don’t typically come out of anesthesia very happy,” said Annie Hager, Slade’s nurse.

Realizing his mom wasn’t there, Slade got scared and began to cry. Thankfully, his devoted nurse Annie was on the scene, and she ran over to comfort him by letting the boy know that his family was outside waiting for him.

“When I told him mom couldn’t be there, he asked if I would snuggle him and I said, ‘sure will,’” Annie said.

 

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I dont post things very often but this little guy touched my heart, and his mama’s beautiful kind words and actions have brought tears to my eyes twice now! A few weeks ago Mr. Slade came out of surgery to the recovery room and was my first patient of the day. Let me tell ya, this little man was by far the bravest 5yr old I have ever met! Most kids scream their way out of anesthesia (to no fault of their own, it’s a pretty normal response to all the stuff we give them) but Slade, although crying at times, was calm and sweet, but obviously scared and in some pain. All he wanted was his mommy who wasnt immediately available. He asked me if I would snuggle him and take care of him. I jumped right in that bed and snuggled up that little guy so fast! His small sweet request made my heart so full!!! His momma took this picture of us the day of surgery, and surprised me at work with these beautiful flowers and another BIG hug from my bestest little friend today! Layla Thompson I thank God everyday for people like you and your precious little man! I feel so blessed to have met you all that day and truly feel I’ve made some wonderful friends through it. This right here is why I LOVE my job. It is why I go to work everyday. Its moments like this that make it all worth it ❤❤❤❤

A post shared by Annie Hager (@anniehager44) on May 1, 2019 at 7:07pm PDT

Eager to see her son, Layla ran into the room, and she was touched to see Annie hugging him. She snapped a photo of the pair, and it quickly went viral after being posted on social media.

“You want someone to treat your child the way you would treat them,” Layla said.

“This little guy touched my heart, and his mama’s beautiful kind words and actions have brought tears to my eyes twice now!” Annie posted on Instagram. “This right here is why I LOVE my job.”

“As a nurse, providing care is one thing, but making sure our patients are calm and comfortable matters just as much,” UPMC posted on Facebook. “It’s nurses like Annie — who show true compassion — that keep our patients happy.”

God bless ALL our nation’s nurses who go above and beyond to help their patients every day!