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MUSC Heroes Coworkers help nurse during time of need by Cindy Abole Public Relations When neurosurgery services nurse Cathy Cattles learned that her husband needed a lifesaving transplant, the news hit her withthe force of a fastball. At the most difficult moment, a group of caring people stepped up to the plate to ensure that the pair would not endure things alone. Jimmy and Cathy Cattles at their James Island home. Cathy was touched by the offeringof  donations and gifts by dozens of Ambulatory Care and Medical University Hospital Authority staff and wanted to recognize them for their help in her hardship situation. Cathy considers her MUSC co-workers part of her extended family. In 2002, Cathy’s husband, Jimmy, was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a rare but critical lung disease that prompted the need for a lung transplant. With little preparation and limited vacation time, Cathy rushed her husband to Duke University Transplant Center for a week-long, rigorous transplant evaluation and preparation as a transplant candidate.  “Cathy’s situation hit home with us,” said Evyonne Thurman, R.N., nurse manager of Neurosurgery Services. “Everyone here is devoted to their family, home and job. All of us searched for some way to help her out.” A former transplant coordinator with the MUSC Transplant Center, Thurman coached Cathy about the transplant process and other preparation, from financial expenses, testing and transplant procedure to medications, check-ups and post-transplant therapy. A licensed practical nurse for six years, Cathy realized the hard challenges as the family’s sole breadwinner. She knew she could not stop working and needed to focus on their many anticipated expenses. To help, the couple sacrificed their home in nearby Cottageville to secure transplant expenses. Next, she relocated Jimmy temporarily to the Durham area where he lived modestly in a rented trailer while attending rehab therapy sessions and awaiting a donor. But Cathy’s main concern, according to Thurman, was having enough leave for the upcoming transplant-related events. Together, they anticipated Cathy would need six to eight weeks of leave to care for her husband. Last December, Thurman composed an e-mail to Ambulatory Care administration describing Cathy’s hardship and seeking help.  Its result was a home run. “It’s amazing the outpouring of support she and Jimmy received through gifts and donations,” Thurman said. “People really gave from their hearts when they learned of one of their own needed help. Many people responded and showed how they cared. ” In total, more than $1,500 was collected to support Cathy and Jimmy's needs. A $500 anonymous donation was also contributed to the support fund. On Feb. 4, Jimmy underwent a successful lung transplant. Prior to the procedure, Ambulatory Care co-workers assembled a gift basket for Cathy to take to North Carolina. It was thoughtfully prepared with coffee packets, edibles, scented oils and restaurant gift certificates in preparation for the lengthy waiting periods and recovering weeks to follow. Cathy was so overwhelmed by the response from fellow staff that she wrote personal thank-you notes to the dozens of physicians, nurses, administrative staff, patient transporters, support clerks and other staff who offered prayers and support. But she still acknowledges individuals for their silent offerings. “Everyone’s support from donations, gifts and prayers gave me hope throughout a difficult and impossible time in my life,” Cathy said. “It helped me learn to appreciate people and reaffirms my faith in them.” “Cathy Cattles is an excellent employee and well-liked by staff, physicians and patients,” said June Darby, clinical manager,  medical-surgery and primary care. “Our hearts went out to her and her husband during their long wait for his lung transplant. We felt like family and wanted to help in anyway we could.” Today, Jimmy is recovering nicely at their home on James Island. He attends transplant rehab therapy three times a week and is slowly returning to walking and other activities he could not perform. Prescribed to multiple medications and a strict lifestyle regimen, he recently passed the six-month rejection period for lung transplant patients and is on the road to a good recovery. “Despite all we’ve been through, the experience has been very humbling,” Cathy said.  “I feel God has granted me many blessings with close family and good friends.” Editor’s note: At MUSC, heroes abound. They exist in the form of caregivers, faculty, students, and staff. The Catalyst's MUSC Heroes is a column that offers employees and staff the opportunity to recognize  MUSC's everyday heroes. Send an e-mail about your MUSC hero along with your name and office phone number to catalyst@musc.edu.    Friday, Sept. 3, 2004 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.