Doctor’s Empathy Makes Him Special

* What a touching story you printed June 26 about David Junghans, the Huntington Beach boy with an incurable tumor who watched the successful surgery on a baby girl as his dying wish.

I feel so much for the family. The story hits so close to home for me.

But we were more fortunate; my daughter’s tumor was removed. I remember like it was yesterday the feeling Karen Junghans was expressing in the story. How I blamed myself, or asked, why Kaylynn, my 10-year-old daughter.

We were so blessed to be touched by the wonderful Dr. Mike Muhonen at St. Joseph Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

Kaylynn had a tumor on her brain. Nothing in life could have prepared me for this.

Dr. Muhonen wasn’t sure how Kaylynn would come out of surgery, but said he would care for her as if she were his own daughter. What more could we ask for?

He did surgery the next day and successfully removed the tumor. We were so blessed. He gave me back my baby.

Dr. Muhonen is such a caring and wonderful doctor. He does his job because he loves kids.

KATHY BROWN

Lancaster

* When I read your excellent article about a boy with an incurable brain stem tumor and the doctor at Children’s Hospital of Orange County who befriended him, I knew before his name appeared that it was Dr. Michael Muhonen.

Our daughter, Laura, had a similar tumor and he performed surgery on her to buy her a small amount of time (she died on May 23 of this year).

He was so sensitive--sharing his own pain while recognizing our hopeless situation. In addition to his incredible talent as a surgeon, we were so touched that he conveyed his own sadness while our hearts were breaking.

He hasn’t “used his heart up,” as his wife so poignantly stated.

I am so proud of Dr. Muhonen and the Junghans family for allowing David to watch brain surgery for his last wish, to watch his doctor friend at work. Even though they are struggling with their decision in their grief, they will soon realize that listening to a dying child and respecting his wish is the greatest gift one can give.

I know they will find peace with their role in the fulfillment of David’s wish. David sounds like an angel that Laura will be happy to meet, and they have both been blessed to have known Dr. Muhonen.

GAIL SUSSKIND

Huntington Beach