Kelly Gutman is a wonderful and fantastic nurse who models compassionate care in all that she does; from her work, interactions with patients, their families, and her peers. She has the uncanny ability to make a patient, and their family, feel as though they are her only patients! As many times as Kelly must go through patient and family education regarding chemotherapy, the process, the side effects, the stressors, anticipated and expected feelings and thoughts, she never spoke or acted as if we should know these things. She sat, eye level with the patient and family, and spoke with us (not at us). She explained every little detail. She provided suggestions - her guidance was invaluable! She is a wealth of knowledge and a fountain of compassion. Her peers look to her for her expertise and she was always willing to assist any nurse, patient care technician, patient or family. Her warm smile and demeanor have the ability to light up the room. In hindsight, we were comforted to know that we would be seeing Kelly over the course of chemotherapy treatment, every week for approximately 12 weeks and then some. Every week she greeted us with her smile and we could tell that she genuinely cares about her job, her profession, and her patients! We trusted her and knew we were in good hands. We were in Kelly's hands.
I wish I could share every interaction that we had with Kelly. From the day that we walked into Dr. K's office, we knew that our lives were about to change and not just because there was a cancer diagnosis in the family. The regular protocol occurred- vital signs, weight, blood work, wait. Then a nurse appeared while we were waiting and introduced herself. This was Kelly. She introduced herself, explained the process and what we were to expect on this particular day - the first chemotherapy treatment. Her demeanor was warm, friendly, and compassionate. I thought I was "just another patient" but how wrong I was. Kelly made me feel as though I was the only patient in the treatment area. She took her time explaining everything and stopped frequently to ensure that I understood everything - from the pre-medications to the chemotherapy, to my little friend Betsy (the chemo pump). I know that you may think, "well this is her job," but the way Kelly presented herself week, after week, appointment after appointment was truly amazing. The compassion in her actions, responses, care were simply amazing. She knew my preferences, water, no ice; Jell-O, Goldfish, heated blanket and on most appointments those items were already waiting for me at my treatment chair. She urged me to call or leave a message on my chart when we had any questions, and she returned my phone calls and answered all of my questions. She called to check on my wellbeing between appointments. She called me out on things. Told me that I needed to eat, provided suggestions, told me when I looked good and told me when I looked "not so good" but in a pleasant way! Even when I needed to come for IV fluids (3-4 times) per week, she always had the ability to make me feel better, psychologically. Her encouragement was non-stop, her patience was limitless, and her caring and nurturing behavior was immeasurable. Each and every time we walked into that office, Kelly was there (well except for the 1 week she felt the need to go on vacation). All of the other times, Kelly was there, on the good days and the most difficult days encouraging me and my family on this journey.
Kelly is more than just an outstanding and compassionate nurse. She is continuously described as a "shining star" or a "diamond in the rough." During our treatments, other patients would ask "Who is your nurse?" Our answer would be Kelly and their response was, "she a keeper." She certainly is! Not many individuals would have a positive story about their cancer diagnosis or treatment regimen, however, if there is anything "good" about cancer or this entire ordeal, it is that our lives were touch by Kelly!! Her true compassion is nursing and her patients! Kelly is a true DAISY Nurse!