kristine cutter, RN

Approximately one year ago, I was admitted to Harborview suffering from severe panic attacks. It was a rough time in my life. In the course of 5 months prior to coming in, my mom died suddenly, my husband was an unemployed union carpenter going on 1.5 years, bill collectors were calling relentlessly, I got into a car accident, my sister-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer, my brother-in-law was diagnosed with bowel cancer AND I had no health insurance. Talk about stress.

From the moment I was wheeled into the Emergency Room, to the time I left one week later, I was treated with dignity and respect by each and every staff member there. The same is true for the outpatient services I received later. There is one staff member that I would like to nominate for the DAISY Award. She was my evening nurse while I was in the psychiatric ward. Her name is Kris, with a capital K!

Every shift, she came by to visit me and she listened to me as I described the anxiety I felt. She brought me literature on cognitive behavior therapy, and she taught me how to breathe deeply to combat the anxiety attacks. She demonstrated outstanding care and compassion and every day I grew stronger and stronger. Even though her duties were full helping other patients, she had healthy boundaries and I learned from her example. It was hard leaving the very ward I was so terrified of entering just 1 week earlier but I was encouraged by all the staff that I was going to make it. It was especially hard to say good-bye to Kris so I wrote her a card and left it for her.

Every time I come to the hospital now to attend my weekly appointment at the Psychiatric Resident Clinic, I look up at the window to the room I stayed in and I say a silent prayer of thanksgiving for the wonderful care I received and I also pray that whoever is in my old room is comforted with peace and gets to be cared for by Kris.