Caitlin Page
February 2026
Caitlin
Page
,
RN, BSN
White 8
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston
,
MA
United States
In my eyes, it was as if she were a friend who genuinely cared about my situation, and in an odd way, she had me believing she was proud that she had the opportunity to work with me!
My story began while I was visiting my parents in Florida over Christmas at the end of December 2024. I fell into a coma due to a problematic liver. Once well enough, I was discharged from the hospital and returned home to Boston, where I was immediately admitted to Mass General Hospital, where my doctors are associated. I was placed on the 8th floor of the White Building, where I would spend the next three plus weeks.
In my opinion, the care and professionalism I received as a patient were exceptional from almost everyone I dealt with, regardless of roles, responsibilities, or impact. That said, however, one person in particular clearly stood out from the rest: Caitlin Page. Caitlin was assigned to my room very early in my stay. Upon her entry and introducing herself, she immediately made an impact with her tone and overall demeanor, which my sister, who was with me, and I enjoyed. She spoke and moved with a kind yet confident style that made me feel comfortable and eased my anxiety. I soon realized I would need to have my liver replaced.
Throughout the process, I had very little sleep, numerous medications, constant Doctor visits, coupled with various "journeys" for tests and scans, etc. The one constant, in my eyes, through all of this was Caitlin. Always there with a smile and words of encouragement. She had the ability to speak to me in "human terms" about what was to come. Her experience and care, compassion and kindness were my rock during such a tumultuous time.
I have been extremely fortunate in my life, and this was essentially my first stay in a hospital. Unfortunately, the employees saw me at my worst, my saddest, my sickest, my most scared. I had pain, accidents, and nerves that caused me to lose a bit of my dignity and pride. What I could always count on was Caitlin, as well as many others, knowing she would take care of me and talk to me like an adult, telling me I was "foolish" to worry about my dignity or pride.
In my eyes, it was as if she were a friend who genuinely cared about my situation, and in an odd way, she had me believing she was proud that she had the opportunity to work with me! What a gift! My last accolade in describing the level of nurse, and more importantly, the level of person Caitlin is, she quickly realized I was a sports fan, and I loved my family. Throughout the day, when she would be in my room, she would ask if I had seen the Bruins game or who I liked in the upcoming Super Bowl.
We would talk openly about my nieces and nephews and what was going on in their lives. This may seem trivial and inconsequential to many, but it's this small extra step that she seemed to embrace that really set her apart. As I mentioned above, she didn't treat me like one of her six or so patients that day, but as someone she hoped to help. I could go on and on. She will never begin to understand how important the impact she made on my overall well-being truly was.
In my opinion, the care and professionalism I received as a patient were exceptional from almost everyone I dealt with, regardless of roles, responsibilities, or impact. That said, however, one person in particular clearly stood out from the rest: Caitlin Page. Caitlin was assigned to my room very early in my stay. Upon her entry and introducing herself, she immediately made an impact with her tone and overall demeanor, which my sister, who was with me, and I enjoyed. She spoke and moved with a kind yet confident style that made me feel comfortable and eased my anxiety. I soon realized I would need to have my liver replaced.
Throughout the process, I had very little sleep, numerous medications, constant Doctor visits, coupled with various "journeys" for tests and scans, etc. The one constant, in my eyes, through all of this was Caitlin. Always there with a smile and words of encouragement. She had the ability to speak to me in "human terms" about what was to come. Her experience and care, compassion and kindness were my rock during such a tumultuous time.
I have been extremely fortunate in my life, and this was essentially my first stay in a hospital. Unfortunately, the employees saw me at my worst, my saddest, my sickest, my most scared. I had pain, accidents, and nerves that caused me to lose a bit of my dignity and pride. What I could always count on was Caitlin, as well as many others, knowing she would take care of me and talk to me like an adult, telling me I was "foolish" to worry about my dignity or pride.
In my eyes, it was as if she were a friend who genuinely cared about my situation, and in an odd way, she had me believing she was proud that she had the opportunity to work with me! What a gift! My last accolade in describing the level of nurse, and more importantly, the level of person Caitlin is, she quickly realized I was a sports fan, and I loved my family. Throughout the day, when she would be in my room, she would ask if I had seen the Bruins game or who I liked in the upcoming Super Bowl.
We would talk openly about my nieces and nephews and what was going on in their lives. This may seem trivial and inconsequential to many, but it's this small extra step that she seemed to embrace that really set her apart. As I mentioned above, she didn't treat me like one of her six or so patients that day, but as someone she hoped to help. I could go on and on. She will never begin to understand how important the impact she made on my overall well-being truly was.