Suzi Novak
October 2019
Suzanne
Novak
,
BSN, RN, CPN
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
Milwaukee
,
WI
United States
Our daughter, M, has medulloblastoma (brain cancer). Since our first time meeting "Miss Suzie" in ICU after M's tumor resection, we were in love. She has been with us on our journey since May of last year, and no matter how much M hates going to the hospital, she always perks up a little when she knows she is going to see "Miss Suzie."
While I have (hopefully) always expressed how grateful we are for the amazing care Suzie (and all of the team) gives us, yesterday Suzie went above and beyond. Our oncology team had the very difficult job of telling us our beautiful girl has relapsed after just six months off treatment. What I appreciated so much, more than I can ever say, is that when this horrible news had to be delivered, Suzie took M on a fun scavenger hunt. M didn't have to sit and listen to the news, nor watch her parents break down and sob knowing what is to come. Instead, she was playing with her favorite nurse, getting toys and a popsicle. Suzie gave us the opportunity to absorb the shock and have the space to react how we needed to without our little girl having to experience it. As a mom, I am just so grateful for not only the physical care our child gets but the emotional care Suzie gives to our whole family. I can't imagine her job, loving on patients, seeing the horror of childhood cancer, and still holding it together so that we as parents don't have to.
***
Suzie is an amazing Neuro-Oncology nurse clinician who has been a nurse with Children's since 2005. Suzie is a certified pediatric nurse who is actively involved in our Neuro-Oncology program in the MACC Fund Center. Suzie works hard to collaborate with many different disciplines to ensure the patients and families get the amazing care they deserve. She has built many therapeutic relationships with her patients and they enjoy coming to clinic to see her, as mentioned above. One of the physician's Suzie works closely with states, "From the first visit during my interview, I got an impression she is the core and heart of brain tumor program here. She runs the program with her passionate and professional care for patients. She spent a significant amount of time and effort to communicate with patients and colleagues. She is the most valuable person in this program and irreplaceable."
While I have (hopefully) always expressed how grateful we are for the amazing care Suzie (and all of the team) gives us, yesterday Suzie went above and beyond. Our oncology team had the very difficult job of telling us our beautiful girl has relapsed after just six months off treatment. What I appreciated so much, more than I can ever say, is that when this horrible news had to be delivered, Suzie took M on a fun scavenger hunt. M didn't have to sit and listen to the news, nor watch her parents break down and sob knowing what is to come. Instead, she was playing with her favorite nurse, getting toys and a popsicle. Suzie gave us the opportunity to absorb the shock and have the space to react how we needed to without our little girl having to experience it. As a mom, I am just so grateful for not only the physical care our child gets but the emotional care Suzie gives to our whole family. I can't imagine her job, loving on patients, seeing the horror of childhood cancer, and still holding it together so that we as parents don't have to.
***
Suzie is an amazing Neuro-Oncology nurse clinician who has been a nurse with Children's since 2005. Suzie is a certified pediatric nurse who is actively involved in our Neuro-Oncology program in the MACC Fund Center. Suzie works hard to collaborate with many different disciplines to ensure the patients and families get the amazing care they deserve. She has built many therapeutic relationships with her patients and they enjoy coming to clinic to see her, as mentioned above. One of the physician's Suzie works closely with states, "From the first visit during my interview, I got an impression she is the core and heart of brain tumor program here. She runs the program with her passionate and professional care for patients. She spent a significant amount of time and effort to communicate with patients and colleagues. She is the most valuable person in this program and irreplaceable."