We were admitted to Mott Children's Hospital where my 7-year-old son was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. We have had a lot of good nurses but one nurse, Kaitlin McDowell, has gone above and beyond to help us through this very difficult time. Kaitlin has been extremely kind and compassionate to us and our son. She has made sure that we understood the diagnosis and treatment plan, going over it step by step with us. She went to bat for us when the lab was giving her a hard time about his blood draw. She was in tears, but she didn't back down and completed what was promised to us by the doctors.
Kaitlin has been our emotional rock and even agreed to be our primary nurse during our stays at Mott. Our son really looks forward to seeing her and when she has a day off, he gets a little bummed but gets by knowing she will be back the next day. She treats my son as if he was her own child and knows just what to say to help calm him during his struggle with the cancer journey. Kaitlin was truly meant for this field and I believe God sent her to us during this time in our lives. We certainly wouldn't be as confident without her knowledge, big heart, and compassion! I think that Kaitlin deserves so much more than this award, but it is still a great way to tell her just how absolutely amazing she is, and how much we all love and appreciate her. Thank you, Kaitlin!
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When my son is feeling down and not quite himself, Kaitlin always finds a way to make him smile or laugh. He looks forward to coming to the hospital because he knows he will get to see his friend Kaitlin. Our son has been having a hard time recently with all the treatments and having to be away from home, his family and friends.
Kaitlin always finds a way for him to get through his stay on 7E. He also will tell her that he is not coming back unless she comes back too. We have had a lot of great nurses that have cared for my son, but Kaitlin has been the gentlest, kindest, most caring, and compassionate nurse. She is always trying to improve our stay from the small things like bringing us water to the bigger, more important things like the day-to-day care of our son.
If Kaitlin sees something out of place or not quite up to par, she jumps right in to make sure it is perfect for us all. She has been a shoulder to lean on when I need to vent, and she has been a comedian when my son needs a smile and some cheering up. She has been the maid when the cleaning crew forgot something, and a caterer to all our needs, far beyond what her position requires of her. Thank you, Kaitlin, for making this whole situation a bit more tolerable for all us, especially our son!