Katie Makstutis
May 2020
Katie
Makstutis
,
RN
T7 Hematology Cellular Therapy Unit
West Penn Hospital
Pittsburgh
,
PA
United States
This past October I was diagnosed with AML Leukemia, I set forth on a month-long stay at West Penn Hospital. This was 3 hours away from my home, my family could only visit on the weekends and the rest of the week I was alone. I had my nurses on T7, and honestly, if it weren't for them I don't believe I would have made it; I can't help remembering one nurse in particular. She was a light from the day I started my stay.
On my first night, my doctors told me I'd be going through chemotherapy, but due to the nature of this type of chemo, I would not lose my hair. I loved my hair, my favorite feature, curly long and it was a big part of me. After a few weeks though I started to notice tumbleweeds of hair roll around my room. Due to being high risk, I was given a different type of dosage that caused me to lose my hair, the last thing I wanted. This nurse knew I was upset, I cried to her as I tried to brush out the now dreaded mats that were once my beloved curls. I hated them now, I wanted them gone. She told me that they could cut it for me and that they would do their best.
The next day I was introduced to a woman who had sold hair regeneration serums and shampoos that had been to the hospital before. She gave me a bag of shampoo, conditioner, and serum to help regrow my hair. The nurse had called her for me. After this, I knew it was time to cut off my dreaded hair. She told me they would cut it once another nurse could bring in her clippers to do so. The next day though she says, "I have a surprise for you, if you'll allow it my sister's best friend is a hairstylist and would like to cut your hair for you." I agreed and we had our own little salon moment in my hospital room. She was able to brush out my mats and cut my hair short in a fashion I would like. It was beautiful, she had done all these things for me, just to help me feel better.
After a few days, I decided I was ready to shave my head since the hair was still falling out. We shaved it and I cried, but without her, I wouldn't have felt this love and care that allowed me to get through everything. I love my nurses from T-7 each one of them saved me, and I can't thank Katie enough for tending to not just my health, but my heart.
Note: This is Katie's 2nd DAISY Award!
On my first night, my doctors told me I'd be going through chemotherapy, but due to the nature of this type of chemo, I would not lose my hair. I loved my hair, my favorite feature, curly long and it was a big part of me. After a few weeks though I started to notice tumbleweeds of hair roll around my room. Due to being high risk, I was given a different type of dosage that caused me to lose my hair, the last thing I wanted. This nurse knew I was upset, I cried to her as I tried to brush out the now dreaded mats that were once my beloved curls. I hated them now, I wanted them gone. She told me that they could cut it for me and that they would do their best.
The next day I was introduced to a woman who had sold hair regeneration serums and shampoos that had been to the hospital before. She gave me a bag of shampoo, conditioner, and serum to help regrow my hair. The nurse had called her for me. After this, I knew it was time to cut off my dreaded hair. She told me they would cut it once another nurse could bring in her clippers to do so. The next day though she says, "I have a surprise for you, if you'll allow it my sister's best friend is a hairstylist and would like to cut your hair for you." I agreed and we had our own little salon moment in my hospital room. She was able to brush out my mats and cut my hair short in a fashion I would like. It was beautiful, she had done all these things for me, just to help me feel better.
After a few days, I decided I was ready to shave my head since the hair was still falling out. We shaved it and I cried, but without her, I wouldn't have felt this love and care that allowed me to get through everything. I love my nurses from T-7 each one of them saved me, and I can't thank Katie enough for tending to not just my health, but my heart.
Note: This is Katie's 2nd DAISY Award!