Karen Houtteman
November 2015
Karen
Houtteman
,
RN
8C Medical/Surgical Unit
University of Michigan Health System
Ann Arbor
,
MI
United States

 

 

 

While I was a patient at the University of Michigan, I was very sick and got very, very depressed. Karen was my nurse on 8C and by the end of my stay made me feel like a totally new person. Her loving care let me know there is still good left in this world. I would cry and she helped my mental healing begin to happen.

On admission I was diagnosed with a surgical wound infection that required antibiotics every 2 hrs around the clock. I felt so traumatized and became depressed, crying over and over. Karen was a ray of sunshine, holding my hand, making me feel human again. I had to wear a surgical bra and only had 2 to wear. They became soiled with blood and drainage throughout my stay. Karen went out of her way to contact my insurance so I could get another one. This allowed my family to take the bras home to wash them and they could be rotated as I needed them. This one random act of kindness really motivated me to feel better about the situation, and to feel important.

Karen really touched my soul. When I came in to the hospital she was my nurse, but when I left she was my friend. I can never thank her enough.