My wife and I so hope that everyone’s life may come with a Guardian Angel moment or two when they most need it. I needed mine as I lay in a hospital bed just after surgery, dripping with tubes, unable to sit up without assistance. My thoughts were moored to the reality that I would never again pee normally, unable to imagine a future without embarrassment and shame. Then, around the corner came Karen. The way she greeted us. Her total eye contact. The goodness in her face and in her smile. The way she engaged my wife and me brought us back from the ledge of the unknown. There’s much to say about the caliber of her lessons, which were a necessary ingredient for our beginning to cope and recover. But more important to our redemption were her very manner, countenance, voice, playfulness, and complete understanding of how to extend a hand and a lifeline to our vulnerability.

She was our guardian angel. She charmed us toward hope of reengaging life. When she left for her own renewing family time in Denver, we were worried that oxygen itself might go missing with her. But she reassured us about the skill and caring of her colleagues, whom we also nominated before we returned home two weeks later. With all the technical proficiency and personal involvement she knew of, they, too, came through for us.

Two months later, I’m stronger, more engaged in life, and less hampered by stoma management than I could have imagined that first day she came by to sprinkle her magic. The best clinical news is that the pathology report indicated clear sailing, stage 0a. We’re flying to Cleveland for a tune-up in November, having asked the scheduling gods if maybe we could have it with Karen, should she be on duty. We know she has big, bouncing news of her own, having brought forth Life Itself since our time with her. We’ll cherish her tales of this wonderful new beginning.

However much you think it’s possible, we appreciate you; we do even more. Proud are all the people who helped make you you. Lucky are we, you can turn into a guardian angel and step around the corner when many of us most need help. 

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Karen is an experienced Stoma nurse whose knowledge and patient care skills should be emulated. She recently diagnosed a herniated fistula and incorrect Ostomy appliances, stopped the pain, and resolved the issues I’d been having for months, after one visit. She takes extra time to explain things so that laypersons understand the connections between diet, organ function, and operation at a much deeper level. She demonstrates the ability to diagnose, recommend, and apply her knowledge to fit the unique needs of each patient. The Clinic should consider employing Karen as one of its elite teachers for its Stoma nursing staff so as to pass on her knowledge and skills to younger generations of Stoma nurses.