Comments on Gavin Owens: Dr. Christopher Raab...

Thank you Dr. Raab for taking such wonderful care ...

2009-12-05T09:00:18.188-08:00

Thank you Dr. Raab for taking such wonderful care of Gavin and the Owens family. I was Gavin's night shift nurse, in his home, for a year of his precious life. Because of Gavins illness there were times that I wouldn't see him for weeks at a time and he would be sent home with a slew of new orders. However, Karen's knowledge of his illness and medications quickley put me at ease. I also know that the family was comforted knowing that you were always a phone call away. Stress levels always increased a bit when you were out of town. I worked with doctors in many different settings,ie. hospitals, nursing homes, homecare, etc. , and know first hand that you are a rarity! God bless you, Nurse Katie Mayberry

Thank you Dr. Raab for all you did for the Owens. ...

2009-12-05T08:20:57.971-08:00

Thank you Dr. Raab for all you did for the Owens. I am so thankful that my own two boys were able to have playdates with Gavin and Madi at parks and indoor play areas. I'm also thankful for the way that Gavin has impacted my husband and I who lost our own infant son in 2002. Getting to know Gavin and his family has helped us heal in so many ways. Thank you! Jessica

2009-12-05T08:19:50.317-08:00

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The precious gift of time and the comfort of care....

2009-12-04T13:30:09.858-08:00

The precious gift of time and the comfort of care. What a wonderful doctor you are to give these things to the Owens family! As a mom of a medically fragile child myself, I know just how special those things are. The 3 and 1/2 years that you gave to Karen, Adam and Madison will be treasured forever and are a priceless gift. You are a true testimony to the medical profession and what it really SHOULD be about. Too bad there are not MORE doctors with your sensitive, caring ways as it would make the medical arena a much less scary place for the families that have to navigate through it all too often....

Kudos to you for being YOU. Never change who you are for your impact is being felt around the globe as the goodness that you have passed on is now being "paid forward" through the good deeds that are being done in honor of you and the gift that you empowered the Owens family with by being there for Gavin... :)

JennP
Katy, Texas

Dr. Raab, Thank you for being a mighty instrumen...

2009-12-04T11:13:16.461-08:00

Dr. Raab,
Thank you for being a mighty instrument in the hand of God. Your involvement in Gavin's care has made all the difference. Karen and Adam have shared how much you have allowed their family to truly live these past three years. I have been blessed by you as well because the Owens are a part of my church family. Thank you for all that you have done for Karen, Adam, Madison and Gavin. Be Blessed! ~Debbie Heisey

Dr. Raab, What a wonderful gift that you have giv...

2009-12-04T06:17:23.404-08:00

Dr. Raab,

What a wonderful gift that you have given to the Owen's family - time with their precious little boy, a listening ear, a loving heart, caring hands... I'm sure that the list could go on and on. It is truly rare to find a physician in this day and age that truly cares about his patients AND their family. A physician who will give his all to make life better for a little one. It is so wonderful to see that you equipped Karen and Adam to care for Gavin at home - trusting them to know their little boy's condition, allowing them (and Gavin) to live life and make memories. Lastly, thank you for taking the time, while you were out of the country, to make the call that provided so much comfort while the Owens family was saying goodbye to little Gavin. Truly amazing... May you be richly rewarded for the blessings that you are giving to so many families through your work.

Michelle McNeill

Thank you, Thank you Dr Raab....

2009-12-03T18:56:47.155-08:00

Thank you, Thank you Dr Raab....

As I sit here tonight while Alex is inpatient, I c...

2009-12-03T16:18:18.761-08:00

As I sit here tonight while Alex is inpatient, I can only be thankful for all that you have done to help the Owens family and my own. Your compassion and caring is so evident as you walk these halls. Your smile always brings me comfort. You did what many physicians have difficulty doing. You fought each day and each night to help Gavin fight this nasty disease. While fighting with everything you had, you were able to step back and see that Gavin was tired. You stayed true to Karen and Adam's wish for Gavin not to suffer and you offered them the support they needed to make the most difficult decision in any parent's life. I cannot even count how many times I heard from Karen, "Oh I am so thankful Dr Raab did...' You can fill in the blank with about anything and everything. They were so very lucky to have you caring for their child. I will never forget when Alex had his reaction to ativan....while I was experiencing one of the most difficult times with Alex, I had a sense of comfort that you were out in that hallway trying to find a way to help us. Lauren's first admission to duPont, you stood next to her crib, rubbing her head and just letting me cry it out. It is not in all the times you had the right words or the right treatment but in the times when you said nothing at all that speaks volumes to what an amazing physician you are. We are so very lucky to have you apart of the kid's care. We look forward to being the recipients of all that you have learned while caring for Gavin and his family. You are truly a God send and we will all forever be in debt.
My heart felt thanks,
Katie Lindemann and Family

Dear Dr.Raab, Thank you for the love and compassio...

2009-12-03T14:22:05.783-08:00

Dear Dr.Raab, Thank you for the love and compassion you show each and every one of your patients every day. I may never know you personally but am touched by your heart for others. More specifically, thank you for caring for Gavin and the Owens family as if they were your own. Thank you for always supporting and loving them and making their lives better. You've forever touched their hearts and I'm sure many countless others. I hope you win the award for Physician of the Year! God bless you! - Lisa M. Walk

I only "knew" Gavin for a short time thr...

2009-12-03T11:15:59.326-08:00

I only "knew" Gavin for a short time through the blog but to know there are such wonderful doctors out there that care and are willing to fight the long fight, along side the parents is a beautiful thing.

Dr. Raab, Thank you for being the perfect doctor ...

2009-12-03T09:14:00.378-08:00

Dr. Raab,

Thank you for being the perfect doctor for Gavin and his family. I've kept up with Karen's blog throughout Gavin's life, and I can't imagine a doctor more caring and understanding of a family's concerns and priorities as you were. I thank you for your work with these precious children.

TO the man with the gifted hands of healing and th...

2009-12-03T09:09:12.878-08:00

TO the man with the gifted hands of healing and the heart more precious than gold,
Thank you for your endless hours and dedication to my sister, Adam,Madison and Gavin. For all the time spent fighting on behalf of my beautiful nephew. For the many memories you have given to Karen and Adam. For the strength, light, and love you have shown Madison. For the unmatchable kindness that exists in your eyes, and the calmness in your touch.
I know how much you mean to Karen and Adam and just how very touched they are by your persistent dedication to assuring their family remain together, safe, and well equipped with the tools to care for their little boy. I have been amazed at how different you are from other medical doctors in that you do whatever it takes to assure your patients have the best quality of life and step outside the box to make that happen for them. You have touched my life Dr. Raab, simply by being the kind compassionate human being you are and doing everything you could to help my little nephew have the best three years of his short but awesome life. You are an amazing testament to all of us and I for one, cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award. For you did in fact, make a difference...and this is what truly counts.
Jennifer (karens Sister)

I applaud doctors like Dr. Raab. Thank God for D...

2009-12-03T07:40:47.483-08:00

I applaud doctors like Dr. Raab. Thank God for Dr. Raab, for being one of those very special and rare doctors who truly care and go above and beyond. Thank you Dr. Raab for taking such good care of Gavin and his family! Thank God for you!

Dr. Raab sounds like a wonderful caring human bein...

2009-12-03T07:26:40.958-08:00

Dr. Raab sounds like a wonderful caring human being not just a doctor....I'm truly awed at how loving and tender his care for Gavin was - not only just for him but for the entire family.....I just wish that all doctors were just like him - where you are a person not just another patient to move in and out....

Kathy in Texas

Words are powerful instruments that we use every d...

2009-12-03T03:39:23.988-08:00

Words are powerful instruments that we use every day. Searching for the right words to express deep gratitude is a daunting mission: but here goes. God knew that Dr. Raab would be Gavin's physician before Gavin was born. God chose Adam and Karen to bestow an extraordinary gift upon their lives. The gift was without measure the most beautiful gift of life wrapped in the body of Gavin Owens. Dr. Raab allowed Gavin's life to reach out and touch other lives. He stood alongside Adam and Karen in support and expertise to provide Gavin with a quality of life that enabled the family to l-i-v-e. I have never met Dr. Raab but I feel I know him through the life that was lived by Gavin. Dr. Raab truly wanted this child to experience life, learn, and be loved not only by his parents and family but by an extended group of people who have meshed their lives with the Owens's. Dr. Raab emanated through Gavin Owens and I think that in itself is the greatest testimony!

As the mom of my own little miracle, I would like ...

2009-12-02T19:09:44.783-08:00

As the mom of my own little miracle, I would like to say thank you and also nominate Dr. Raab for Physician of the Year. Over the past 2 1/2 years, I have met doctor after doctor, many of whom were quickly forgotten. To find a doctor who cares, who understands, who listens to mommies is the exception these days and I believe Dr. Raab is one of these exceptions. The Owens family has become part of our family and knowing that they are loved and listened to by their physician is a blessing. It is so obvious that a wonderful partership between Dr. Raab & Gavin's parents was key to every smile and every new experience in his short life. I know few doctors who would have taken the time to help a family be at home, stay at home, make memories at home. Only a very special doctor would go to such great lengths. The legacy of a great physician is not just the certificates on the wall, but the smiles he helps make happen. I can't think of a more beautiful smile than little Gavin's and I am thankful Dr. Raab was a part of that.

I would like to add my thanks to Dr.Raab for takin...

2009-12-02T18:59:02.601-08:00

I would like to add my thanks to Dr.Raab for taking care of such a wonderful family. You provided care and support not only for such a sweet little boy as Gavin, but also his longing and attentive parents and sister. That alone is a gift that cannot be matched. Thank you!!!
Susan Pytel

Thank you so much Dr. Raab for taking care of Gavi...

2009-12-02T18:49:21.073-08:00

Thank you so much Dr. Raab for taking care of Gavin and his family not only physically but spiritually as well! It takes a special person to be a doctor but it takes an angel to make an impact like you have on the owens family and so many others! Thank you for being such a great inspiration and caretaker to so many parents and children! May God bless you and the Owens family always! ~The Butlers~

Dr Raab: It is through tears that I write this po...

2009-12-02T18:38:19.069-08:00

Dr Raab:

It is through tears that I write this post. Although we had only 3 years to spend with our Gavin it is because of you that we got to spend any time with him. I know it was important to Karen and Adam that Gavin was able to live life to the fullest. But it was also important to the rest of the family to be able to see him live life. To spend time at birthdays and at the pool. To see him laugh and giggle and to see his cousins get to know him and be able to be a part of his life. We have you to thank for that. You are a hero to me. To be able to have such compassion and yet a clear understanding of the science and be able to combine the two with such professionalism and compassion. It takes not only being a hero but an angel of God. I pray that The Lord blesses you as you have blessed our Gavin and his family.

Dr. Raab, you are an inspiration to your medical f...

2009-12-02T17:57:16.620-08:00

Dr. Raab, you are an inspiration to your medical field. Although I have never met you in person, for you to have been there to help the Owens family was certainly a blessing. And from the sounds of other comments on here, you treat everyone of your patients like that. You deserve this award and many more.

Dr. Raab has not only touched the Owens family and...

2009-12-02T17:47:56.933-08:00

Dr. Raab has not only touched the Owens family and all that know them, but so many others too. He has shown each child and their family his absolute best, not just being a physician and healer, but by having faith in parents who may be in shock, and are scared for what this new diagnosis/situation may bring them. He encourages them to be a parent first and enjoy the milestones, whatever they may be. This is his greatest gift, remembering the family and not just seeing things from a medical perspective. He also kindly shows when it is time to maybe change course, but still considering what is best for the child, even if it is the unthinkable.No matter what the problem, he is the doctor you would want on your side, the one who will fight as hard as you do for your child. So few remember why they got into medicine; he never seems to forget.

Those of us that love the Owens family have to lov...

2009-12-02T17:45:45.507-08:00

Those of us that love the Owens family have to love Dr. Raab for doing what we all wanted to do but could not....to help Adam and Karen to help their son. Thank you, thank you, thank you for practicing this difficult field of medicine. It sounds like you were made for it.

God bless Dr. Raab for taking such wonderful care ...

2009-12-02T17:26:58.660-08:00

God bless Dr. Raab for taking such wonderful care of the Owens family and guiding, educating and empowering them in the care of their son. His time on earth was truly better because of him.

Sincerely,
Kerri Lopa
Newington, CT

I have no concept of what it means to be the mothe...

2009-12-02T16:48:17.606-08:00

I have no concept of what it means to be the mother of a medically fragile child. For this ignorance, I am grateful.

However, I do know what it means to be a MOM. I know what it feels like to have your heart walk outside of your own body. . .to put your entire being into loving, caring for, protecting, and cherishing one single life. . .a life created out of love. I know the importance that each event holds . . .each anniversary signifies . . . each milestone means . . .and I understand the value of each memory made.

When I think of Gavin, I always think of Karen . . .Gavin's Mom.

Dr. Raab, your compassion and dedication to families, enabled Gavin's Mom to experience his milestones, his birthdays, and to create memories as his mother. Thank you for such a precious gift!

Thank you Dr. Raab for all the loving care you gav...

2009-12-02T16:40:58.558-08:00

Thank you Dr. Raab for all the loving care you gave to sweet Gavin. You were not only a physician, but a friend as well. Thank you for the compassion you shared with Karen, Adam and Madison. You truly made a difference in many people lives. May you be showered with blessings, Dr. Raab, and Thank You again for the time you gave precious Gavin.