Parent Blog: Faith Mitts

In their words

Faith Mitts
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

On April 22, 2018, Aiden was admitted to University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital with osteomyelitis – an infection in the bone – that started in his right knee then moved to his left ankle. 

There were so many incredible doctors and nurses on his case: Kristin Avery, MD, was a resident on his case and she was wonderful. She did a great job of explaining everything. Brendan Patterson, MD, MPH, was his orthopedic surgeon who operated on his ankle. He was awesome and did a great job answering our questions. 

Aiden loved all his nurses but he had a few that he absolutely loved; his favorite was Haley Smith, who was just as sassy as he was and nicknamed him “Sour Patch Kid.” He could go from sweet to sour in a matter of seconds. Candace Smith was our nurse for a couple of shifts and she really made a point to get to know Aiden and made him feel comfortable. Tiffany Meyers was amazing the night he was in so much pain, she got the doctors right away to get the pain medicine he needed. 

Lisa Miguel is a child life specialist. She (as well as all the other child life specialists) was amazing. I don’t know how we would have gotten through the week we were there without her. The first time she came in to distract Aiden while he was getting poked they instantly connected. After that he asked for her by name every time they came into to poke him. And every time, she came! She even had an idea to start a music video about the partnership between the child life specialists and as we called them “the poker carts.” Lisa also went above and beyond and got a few Iowa football players to come play football with Aiden. She made one of the scariest memories of our lives a little bit good. I would love to be able to hug her and thank her and the rest of his team. 

I’d rate our experience a 10 out if 10. All of the staff were amazing. They made sure Aiden, as well as my husband and I, had everything we needed. 

This hospital is amazing and even though I was terrified of what was happening I knew we were in good hands.