I cannot sing her praises enough. My 70-year-old mom is a stage 4 bile duct cancer patient, but Liz met Mom even before mom got a clear diagnosis.
Mom was first hospitalized at a terrible place where she was traumatized by the radiologist who placed two external biliary drains out of her abdomen but was not able to put in stents, and a bungled biopsy of her liver. COVID has made everything that much more difficult. Mom was in that hospital alone when she received her diagnosis of cancer. My mom had to tell my sister instead of the other way around.
Once my sister told me, I rushed home from my teaching position in China. Liz Cooke called me after I dropped off mom at the other facility. This was only 2 days after her first consultation appointment at City of Hope with bloodwork. Mom was severely dehydrated, and her bilirubin was through the roof. Liz was the reassuring voice who guided me through this extremely difficult first time experience of having my mom admitted.
Liz called me daily to update me during doctor rounds or after. She gave me her cell phone number so I could reach her directly. Through Liz, we were able to request a proper biopsy of Mom's liver during this, her first stay. Liz instructed me on how Mom's biliary drains would need to be flushed twice a day when she came home. Mom's oncologist at City of Hope was able to read the biopsy pathology report and give a proper diagnosis and start chemo to extend Mom's life for 6-12 months. Mom was hospitalized again with an infection 3 days after she was discharged, and it was Liz who again updated me every morning. She explained how I would need to give my mom infusions of 2 different antibiotics through her midline IV and mom would need it every 8 hours once she was home.
Liz basically "trained" me with all the proper foundational information for me to become an "honorary nurse." She told me all the proper questions to ask and all the information to look for, as well as what to expect. Nurses at ERs have asked me if I have a nursing background after speaking with me (I'm a teacher). City of Hope nurses asked my mom if I'm a nurse after I hung up with them on the phone. This shows how much I have learned from Liz and how wonderful that she spent the time and energy to explain everything to me. I've taken Mom to the ER a total of 5 times as of today. She continues to have a low-grade fever almost daily. Of all the dozens of nurses and doctors I have spoken to in the past 3 months, including the triage nurse I spoke to last night on the phone, Liz has been and continues to be the most respectful, professional, caring, compassionate, intelligent, and human of all the medical personnel I have encountered in her interactions with me and my mom; and I still haven't even met Liz due to COVID! This is of importance because my mom does not speak English and I've noticed that sometimes my mom doesn't get the best care until it is I who speaks with the nurses and doctors. Liz was never one of those. She is absolutely wonderful. She gives me reassurance and peace of mind whenever my mom is in her care, as well as comfort in her understanding of my position.
Liz is a true DAISY Nurse. She has definitely set the standard in my mind. While I continue to care for my mom at home in her measured time on earth, I thank the powers that be that Mom met Liz.