As a professional in the healthcare field, I had always felt that I was prepared and equipped to face anything medical that was thrown at me...boy was I wrong! My mother-in-law was recently in the hospital and faced a devastating diagnosis as well as the placement of a colostomy. To say it was difficult is an understatement. My mother-in-law is a private person, and this impacted her privacy and self-esteem. Megan Woodbury was the ostomy nurse assigned to teach my mother-in-law how to care for and live with the colostomy. My family asked me to learn how to manage it because I work in the medical field, and everyone was overwhelmed by the entire situation. Megan was extremely patient, kind, and encouraging when teaching me (a social worker) how to care for the colostomy. But more importantly, she was kind and encouraging to my mother-in-law. Megan shared her phone number with me if any problems arose over the weekend after she was discharged.

Unfortunately, we ran into quite a bit of trouble with the colostomy at home, which led to three visits to the emergency department in a 24-period. Megan was strong and steady, helping us through every hurdle. She answered my early morning phone calls, late night texts, and greeted my mother-in-law with a smile each time she was in the emergency department. There were many times that I was in tears, trying to resolve the situation and Megan was the one to reassure me and help me find a solution. She never made me feel like I was bothering her or wasting her time.

My entire family knows about the infamous Megan and refers to her as "our angel". Megan went above and beyond for me, and my family and I will be forever grateful for her. I have the utmost admiration and respect for her and the rest of the ostomy care team. I am so impressed by the care they provide not only to my mother-in-law but to countless patients who need their support. Megan deserves to be recognized and celebrated today and every day! My father-in-law said it best when he said he thinks Megan deserves to be paid "millions of dollars: for the amazing work she does!"