When you hear the news that you have cancer, you are not only looking for a cure but also a superhero to help you through the process. When I met Katie during my first chemo treatment, she didn’t have to show me her “S” on her chest to know that she had superpowers. You ask, what were Katie’s superpowers? She was the most skilled and compassionate nurse I have ever been around.

My first day of chemo treatment didn’t go as planned. I had a reaction to an anti-nausea medication before even starting my chemo infusion. It was probably one of the scariest moments that I have ever had in my life. However, Katie was there to skillfully take the situation and diffuse it in the most calming way. From that point on, I knew that Katie was my superhero. I really didn’t give her the option of becoming my superhero, but she was amazing at it!

During infusion days, I didn’t always get Katie as my nurse. However, if Katie was at work that day, she would check on me. As a patient, I had time during my infusions to look and listen to the people and nurses around me. I can’t tell you how many times Katie was asked to assist with other tasks. I know this is because she is clinically skilled. She was always willing to help other nurses and patients. I never saw Katie with any downtime. She was constantly checking on patients or doing things that would help other nurses. Patients were constantly sharing stories with her. She knew her patients!

Katie went above and beyond to know me and my likes and dislikes. It didn’t take me long to realize that Katie wasn’t just my “superhero”, but a “superhero” to a lot of others too. She had a way to make me feel comforted in a way that I almost forgot that I was there for a serious procedure. I finished my chemo treatments in and have now started radiation. I have to admit that to this day when I arrive at the Cancer Center, the first person I look for to say hello to and get a hug is my “superhero”, My DAISY, Katie Duncan.