It was very early in his first term, 1981. I remember the coverage as I was a grad student, the news was daily viewing, and was worth watching back then. He was courageous and positive throughout. Changed a lot of people’s opinions of him.
As President Reagan was being wheeled into the operating room, he said, “I hope you’re all Republicans!” This statement served to reassure the surgical staff, as millions of Americans. I remember it well.