Kate Kiel
December 2019
Kate
Kiel
,
RN
Infusion Clinic
East Cooper Medical Center
Mt. Pleasant
,
SC
United States
My father had a blood disorder called MDS and had been diagnosed with this about 3 years ago after moving here from Charlotte. He started having blood transfusions and it became weekly for the last 8 months. I must share he was legally blind and could not hear but his mind was so sharp. Once he started to get transfusions there was one nurse who touched his heart. When I would make the appointment for the transfusion or any appointment he wanted "his Kate", he would tell me. He and Kate established a bond and he trusted her so much. Dad had hard veins to get blood and she always did it with no issues. Kate treated him with so much respect and they chatted and developed a friendship that meant so much to him. My father does not warm up to many people but there was a bond there.
As he decided to stop the transfusions and let God have control, he wanted me to get Kate something from him. He knew once he stopped treatment he would die, and he had accepted that. I mentioned a bag with her name embroidered on it so she could take her belongings to work in it and he loved that idea. He said, "can you have music notes put on each side of her name? She is my 'Singing Kate'". Of course, I asked why she had this name. He said, "she always sings to me when I get my transfusions." Let me not forget to mention, that she would walk him out to get his transport, make sure he got something to eat while there, and more importantly, always showed him so much compassion.
To be honest, I could go on. There are very few Kate Kiels in this world and my dad was lucky to have her in his life during his last months alive. I have been in the healthcare field for over 27 years and have received a kidney transplant almost 20 years ago, so I know enough to be dangerous. I will tell you, without a doubt, that Kate is one of the best in her field and East Cooper is lucky to have her on their team. She even went by to see my dad at his home in his last days. He knew she was there and I know that meant so much to him. It also meant so much to me and my sisters. Kate will be in my heart and my dad's forever.
As he decided to stop the transfusions and let God have control, he wanted me to get Kate something from him. He knew once he stopped treatment he would die, and he had accepted that. I mentioned a bag with her name embroidered on it so she could take her belongings to work in it and he loved that idea. He said, "can you have music notes put on each side of her name? She is my 'Singing Kate'". Of course, I asked why she had this name. He said, "she always sings to me when I get my transfusions." Let me not forget to mention, that she would walk him out to get his transport, make sure he got something to eat while there, and more importantly, always showed him so much compassion.
To be honest, I could go on. There are very few Kate Kiels in this world and my dad was lucky to have her in his life during his last months alive. I have been in the healthcare field for over 27 years and have received a kidney transplant almost 20 years ago, so I know enough to be dangerous. I will tell you, without a doubt, that Kate is one of the best in her field and East Cooper is lucky to have her on their team. She even went by to see my dad at his home in his last days. He knew she was there and I know that meant so much to him. It also meant so much to me and my sisters. Kate will be in my heart and my dad's forever.