My mother, Pauline "Tobie" Klemz, was the definition of the word "strength". Her painful journey began in 2005 when she lost both of her breasts to Cancer. Since 2005, she has suffered 6 heart attacks, had a total of 12 stents placed throughout her body, and even lost her right leg TWICE (yes, twice). First at just above the ankle, then it had to be removed above the knee due to poor circulation and vascular disease. No matter how many hospital stays she had to endure, she ALWAYS remained positive, never losing herself to despair. During one of her hospital stays at MercyOne in Waterloo, Iowa, she made the selfless decision to give someone else a chance at a new beginning by becoming a donor. She loved being a helping hand to those in need. It is because of her health journey that I chose a career in the Emergency Department at MercyOne in Waterloo. I honor my mom's memory through every patient I see.
I was my mother's oldest son, but she was my biggest supporter, my rock, and the reason for the man that I grew up to be. Thanks mom.