She froze and stared at her surroundings.
It was the first day back at work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital of Northern B.C. in Prince George Hospital, a day Stacie Reis thought she would never see again after having survived a serious car accident only two years ago.
"My first day back was overwhelming," she said. "I just stood there and stared for a while. Then when I heard a baby's heart beat again, I was so emotional."
On July 4, 2015, Reis was on her way to Kitimat to visit her grandfather one last time before he passed away. But Reis didn't make it.
On the road again after stopping for ice cream, her car tumbled down a 40-foot embankment, which left her with multiple broken bones to her ankle, tibia, sternum, shoulder, ribs and back vertabrae.
While trapped in her vehicle for 14 hours, Reis knew her injuries were life threatening.
With both legs twisted awkwardly, her nursing skills set in with an attempt to save them.
"I knew I had to straighten my legs because before the blood supply was cut off," Reis said.
Reis lifted her legs while pinned upside down and physically straightened her legs, which is what doctors later told her saved them from amputation.
For Reis, it was her faith as a Christian that helped her while trapped in her car and the long two years since.
"My faith helped me get through," Reis said. "And since then it has always given me strength."
But for the 29-year-old nurse, it has been a road to recovery filled with many ups and downs.
"I have thoughts about everything. There are days when I think I can't believe this happened to me and other days where I am very optimistic," Reis said.
"But my faith and support from my family, friends, co-workers and church community have helped me through. I'm so thankful."
And it was also the love of her job that drove Reis to heal as quickly as possible.
"My job pushed me to fight to get better," Reis said. "I just wanted to get back so bad. I knew I had to do it. I even saw an occupational therapist who asked me what other jobs I might like to do. I said 'this one is the only one.'"
A year and a half ago, Reis was able to walk again but still used a wheel chair regularly until January of this year.
"I still had to use a walker until March and then a cane up until a couple months ago," she said.
After numerous surgeries, rehabilitation took Reis to new levels both physically and emotionally.
"My physical healing was such a big part of my life. Then the physical slowed down, then the emotional and spiritual took over," Reis said. "Today, I'm feeling good. I've learned to live with chronic pain, which can be overwhelming, but it's just learning to live with it. It's about balance and emotionally finding a balance, too. My life has changed. It will never be the same. I grieved when I came back to Prince George after the accident. I missed my old life, but I'm so thankful for all of the support I've had."
This includes the support from a co-worker, who has recently been in recovery, as well as help from a brand new puppy.
"He's been so good for me. He forces me to get up and I think that's made a big difference," Reis said.
Just before returning to work, Reis was faced with another tough decision.
"I had a planned surgery scheduled on my ankle. I decided not to have it because I didn't want to give up my line (for a permanent position at the hospital). But I felt confident. My ankle feels good, I have mobility and I'm back at work. I feel like I've got the cake and ate it, too," Reis said.
Now known internationally as the "Bad Ass B.C. Nurse," Reis is slowly integrating at the hospital by working two hour shifts to begin and will then gradually increase her hours as time goes on.
"I love my work. Parents are often grieving so it feels good to be able to make them feel more comfortable or to teach them things like putting on a diaper on a premature baby. And the babies. Even sick, the babies are so adorable," Reis said.
Today, Reis says she hopes to succeed at work and would like to teach nursing in the future.
"And spending time with family and friends means so much to me and to keep my relationships and build on new relationships."
Going back to that day two years ago, Reis says she has no regrets.
"I wouldn't change anything, "I think all of this has changed who I am and my faith and values have grown as well as for those I have in my life," she said. "And I'm writing a book. I want to tell my story. It's been a long journey."
