Katie Schipfer
October 2024
Katie
Schipfer
,
RN, BSN
BMT-Heme/Oncology
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago
,
IL
United States
Katie got to work crafting the most beautiful "paper capes" to hang over the nine medication fluid bags that were life-sustaining for this patient, hoping to provide warmth and comfort to CW's kids and know just how much of a superhero their mom is as she is in the fight for her life to keep being "mom.”
The doctors allowed my kids to visit me on the floor! Katie listened to all of my concerns, retrieved a sleeve to cover a bruise, helped save the room for us all to visit, and continually checked on me knowing it was my first big time being up!
Now for the best part! She created little capes that said “Super Mom” to cover all of my IV bags to show the kids I was Super Mom - when she should get a cape for Super Nurse! I can't thank this team enough for all the support!
***
Katie went above and beyond for her patient today. Patient CW was told at an outside hospital that she should start writing goodbye letters to her three children - ages 12, 10, and 8, with her youngest son turning 9 on Tuesday.
Since beginning at Rush for the last 5 days, she has had a complete transformation of treatment. After being hospitalized for 5 days the doctors allowed her family to visit so she could celebrate her son’s 9th birthday today!!! Although she said she was very excited, she was also quite nervous.
After hearing the patient’s concerns about her children seeing her with a central line, bruises, and an IV pole - Katie got to work. She found construction paper and scissors and got to work crafting the most beautiful "paper capes" to hang over the nine medication fluid bags that were life-sustaining for this patient, hoping to provide warmth and comfort to CW's kids and know just how much of a superhero their mom is as she is in the fight for her life to keep being "mom.” Katie helped CW get out of her hospital gown for the first time in weeks and into her own clothes for the visit.
After seeing the "super mom" capes dangling from the IV pole, I struck up a conversation with CW- having never met her before. She was beaming with PRIDE and said she wanted to acknowledge Katie in every way she could. She felt she would never be able to truly thank Katie for the emotional and mental care Katie provided in addition to her "nursing duties."
After the visit, Katie drew her blood tests, and her results came back better! CW told me, "This is the power of a hug - the best medicine was seeing my family. I've got this now and feel better. And I owe all my happiness today to Katie!" It's my highest honor to help nominate Katie for the DAISY Award!
Now for the best part! She created little capes that said “Super Mom” to cover all of my IV bags to show the kids I was Super Mom - when she should get a cape for Super Nurse! I can't thank this team enough for all the support!
***
Katie went above and beyond for her patient today. Patient CW was told at an outside hospital that she should start writing goodbye letters to her three children - ages 12, 10, and 8, with her youngest son turning 9 on Tuesday.
Since beginning at Rush for the last 5 days, she has had a complete transformation of treatment. After being hospitalized for 5 days the doctors allowed her family to visit so she could celebrate her son’s 9th birthday today!!! Although she said she was very excited, she was also quite nervous.
After hearing the patient’s concerns about her children seeing her with a central line, bruises, and an IV pole - Katie got to work. She found construction paper and scissors and got to work crafting the most beautiful "paper capes" to hang over the nine medication fluid bags that were life-sustaining for this patient, hoping to provide warmth and comfort to CW's kids and know just how much of a superhero their mom is as she is in the fight for her life to keep being "mom.” Katie helped CW get out of her hospital gown for the first time in weeks and into her own clothes for the visit.
After seeing the "super mom" capes dangling from the IV pole, I struck up a conversation with CW- having never met her before. She was beaming with PRIDE and said she wanted to acknowledge Katie in every way she could. She felt she would never be able to truly thank Katie for the emotional and mental care Katie provided in addition to her "nursing duties."
After the visit, Katie drew her blood tests, and her results came back better! CW told me, "This is the power of a hug - the best medicine was seeing my family. I've got this now and feel better. And I owe all my happiness today to Katie!" It's my highest honor to help nominate Katie for the DAISY Award!