My father was taken by ambulance to the hospital for shortness of breath. Little did we know he had actually had a mild heart attack a few days earlier, but he blew it off and thought it was just heartburn. He had fluid in his lungs when he arrived at the hospital (hence the shortness of breath), and he was admitted.

My dad is almost 91 years old, but you wouldn't know it! He's young at heart, strong, and mostly very healthy. He hates being in the hospital--and especially hates needles and tests--so when they admitted him, he wasn't happy. He agreed to stay the first night, but he was upset that they "kept waking him up all night, doing all these tests." He felt good, and his vitals were great, so in his mind, it was a waste and he just wanted to go home. He woke my mom up the next morning at 6:00 am and told her he was coming home, and to come and check him out. He was upset and agitated, but he was determined to leave, even though his doctor was still running tests and trying to get answers.

Enter Katie. Although my dad didn't want to be there, he and my mother RAVED about how blessed he was to have the "best nurse in the world". She was the brightest spot when he was upset being there. I worked at Phoenix Children's for 9 years, and I've been treated for chronic illnesses for many years. I've had plenty of experience with many wonderful nurses. I was grateful my dad was so comfortable with Katie, and I remember thinking, "I'm sure she's very nice. Most nurses I've met are--they do amazing work." But "the best in the world"? Maybe? I wasn't there on Friday, but my sister-in-law and my mother went to visit my dad. With Katie's help, they convinced him to stay and not fight to be discharged. This was no easy task. But it was the manner in which Katie convinced him to stay that made me so grateful and appreciative of her skill. (I heard every detail from my mom and dad--over and over!) 

Katie sat next to my father on the bed and put her arm around him and patiently, gently, and with all the compassion in the world explained to him in a way he could understand why it was so important that he stay. She helped calm my scared and frustrated father down and encouraged him to stay another night so his care team could find out what was going on. Our whole family (9 kids!) was worried he would fight to be discharged, even though we all wanted him to stay to get some answers. We kept saying, "If Dad wants to leave, he's going to leave. And none of us are going to convince him otherwise." But it was Katie's expertise and kindness that convinced him to stay. Thank goodness for her! I was there all day on Saturday, with my mom. I wasn't there 10 minutes before my dad asked, "Have you met my nurse yet?" I told him, no, and that I would meet her when she came in. Dad told my mom, "Go find her so she can meet her." My mom jumped up from her seat, and I told her I was sure Dad's nurse was busy, and I'd meet her when she came in." They couldn't wait for me to meet this wonderful and amazing human being who took such great care of my dad! When I finally met Katie, I knew in an instant why they adored her so much. I watched in awe as she connected with my parents (and me!) in the most amazing way. She is incredibly gifted in showing grace and compassion, but it was even more than that. Every time she came in, she took time to explain thoughtfully what was going on, what tests we were waiting on, and what everything meant in layman's terms. She answered questions, and she never seemed rushed, even though I know how busy she must have been.

My dad was starting to get anxious as the day went on, because he wanted to go home, and he was worried they were going to keep him overnight again. When Katie came into the room in the afternoon to tell my dad he was being discharged, he was practically in tears and just wanted to hug her! She put together the most amazing and helpful binder of information and a care plan for my father. I've been with other family members or friends who were simply handed a bunch of instructions and paperwork as they were being discharged from other facilities, and it was overwhelming and confusing. But not Katie. Although there was a lot of information, she took time to go through it all and make sure, my mom, dad, and I understood everything. She answered our questions and was kind--yet clear and 'firm'--in making sure my dad knew and understood the importance of following his care plan.

Most importantly, she empowered us (especially my dad) to own his health and care, and she provided us with the resources and tools to feel confident leaving the hospital. It is without any hesitation that I say Katie is deserving of this DAISY Award. She is, in fact, "the BEST nurse in the world". Period. My father was scared and anxious--but it came out as frustration and impatience. As scared and anxious as HE was, as his baby girl, I was even more terrified and worried about what was happening to him. Because of Katie, my dad stayed in the hospital to receive the appropriate care, so we could all feel better about him coming home.

I met Katie one day, and I felt like I would want her as a friend. She made a difficult experience much easier because of her skill and expertise as a nurse, but even more importantly, she was personable, kind, and patient. All I could think about was, "Thank goodness she was assigned as my father's nurse. If I couldn't be there the entire time for him, I felt like someone was there who cared about my father as much as his family does." Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for caring for my "daddy" as much as I do. We adore you!