L has been a patient at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago since she was about a year and a half. She is currently 6 and a half. Over the past 5 years, our family has had exceptional care from every individual we have met at Lurie's. We completely love her entire care team. Every member of L's care team goes well above and beyond to help L and answer all my questions and concerns. We feel so well cared for when we are here and at home. Our clinic visit, scans, and Emergency Department visits have always been positive. This past year L had to start infusions in the Ambulatory Infusion Center. This was different for us from her two previous chemo years. L required a week of chemo once a month in the infusion center. From the first moment when L met Melissa Lynch in the infusion center there was an instant connection!
When I asked L to tell me what makes Melissa Lynch so wonderful, these were her words. Melissa is nice and helps me. I love Melissa! She helps me when I am sick. She makes me feel better by making me laugh. I love it when she smiles. My favorite thing to do with her when I am getting my medicine is to play games. Our favorite games to play are Old Maid, Candyland, and UNO! She taught me how to play fair and not cheat. It was hard to do at first, but she helped me. I even got to the point where I would try and help her win. I also love it when she would help me create plans on how to scare Frank. We would hide around the corner and wait for him to scream. It was so funny! Frank would even get us back a few times. We have had so much fun together for the past year.
Melissa goes far above and beyond to help make L's visits to the infusion center as wonderful as possible. She brings such joy to L and the other patients. This past year of treatment was completely new and different for L. Every month Melissa found a way to put a smile on L's face even when she was feeling so sick or tired. L looks forward to coming to the Infusion Center to see Melissa. She loves to give her hugs and talk with her. There have been quite a few times when L was not feeling the best and Melissa found a way to help her smile and she even found time to help her with her Kindergarten school work. L loved it when she found time to help her read. L and Melissa love to share stories about their puppies and families. Melissa's caring spirit and positive energy bring joy to L's monthly visits to the hospital. Our family feels so blessed to have Melissa in our lives. The connection that L and Melissa have is heartwarming! Melissa makes our little girl feel so safe and loved when we spend our weeks in Chicago.