January 2023
Anna
Knelson
,
BSN, RN
Infusion Unit
Joe Arrington Cancer Center
Lubbock
,
TX
United States
Around the corner came Anna, and she knew that this was going to be okay and now had peace about treatment.
Anna has been vital in the care of my sweet cousin who just recently, and at a young age, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Here is a little background, I am a nurse in the same organization as Joe Arrington Cancer Center and know many of the amazing caregivers that work there and have had many family members cared for by this team. This sweet cousin posted an amazing, sacred encounter she had with a nurse at JACC on social media and I had to share it with the nurse manager, whom I have known for many years through my work. Thankfully, she shared the de-identified post with her team to share that what they are doing does truly matter. I didn't know why, but had a strong feeling that I needed to share and didn't even ask my cousin. A week ago, I received a call from this cousin who asked if it was me who shared the post and I told her absolutely yes, and how I felt like God was telling me to pass it along. She went on to tell me that she was having a rough day because she was scheduled for chemo and her husband was sick and couldn't take her. He was her person, her safety, and whom she wants around when she didn't feel well. This would be the first treatment without him. She was grateful her parents were able to escort her and loves them dearly, but was struggling with having to do this without him. She was telling her parents all about the amazing nurse, Anna, and that hopefully, she would be there with her today. Around the corner came Anna, and she knew that this was going to be okay and now had peace about treatment. Anna sat at my cousin's feet and started to cry as she thanked my cousin for her kind words. My cousin, a little confused about how she would have seen the post, hugged her and thanked her for being so amazing, and asked how she saw the post. Anna went on to share that her boss had posted it in their unit's "Tell Me Something Good," and she knew immediately that it was her. This interaction not only touched my cousin Anna, but my sweet aunt and uncle who were there to support their daughter. I shared that specific instance, but my cousin was able to share so many more occasions that Anna would show up and greet her whether or not she was caring for her that appointment or not. Anna may just be doing her job the way she knows how to, but she is making a huge difference in so many lives by carrying out her calling and is truly ministering to the families she cares for. So many times, you see people just going through the motions and doing their job, but this is not the case at JACC with nurses like Anna, who are following the calling that God led her to and carrying out the mission every day. Thank you, Anna, for making a difference in a time that is difficult for so many!