Dan recently was diagnosed with cancer and has been treated with chemo and radiation. During the last two months, he's been working while undergoing treatment. He is someone that I look up to for his excellent work ethic. We work in the operating room together and anytime he is my nurse, I know it will be a great day. If a doctor asks for something that we are not expecting, he is grabbing it before I can even make eye contact with him to ensure he has heard the doctor. Dan hustles to help turn over the room for the next surgery, always being a huge help to the entire team. He has a great attitude and it's always a pleasure to work with.
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I am a CST and have worked with Dan on a daily basis in the OR for just about three years. I have often requested him to be my Circulator in the room during block time of one particular surgeon. No offense to other Circulators but Dan and I just clicked. We don't have to even speak and we are in sync. He knows what I need or what I'm thinking and vice versa. We know what needs to be done on this particular day with this particular surgeon and our cases. I have the utmost respect for Dan. He goes out of his way to take care of the patient and everyone else in the room. He never "cuts" corners and covers all his bases, and pays attention to detail. Even when the surgeon keeps peeking in the room. He does a stellar job with patient care and safety.
Recently, Dan was diagnosed with cancer and it crushed me as well as the rest of the staff. How could this wonderful human being be inflicted with this? It's just not fair. He has been a trooper. He has mustered through the best he can day by day, week by week. He came to work after his daily radiation and would have to leave early once a week for his chemotherapy. He always has a positive attitude and a smile. I would be blah and see him and just smile. How selfish of me, here this man has cancer, going through daily treatments, tired, nauseated and weak, and can barely drink none the less eat. I was concerned for him but also wondered, what am I going to do without Dan during this particular day, particular block time with this particular surgeon. Well, he came in, helped the best he could and then would leave. Everyone has stepped up to help Dan, he is an absolute asset to Baycare and I am personally honored to be working with him.
Now eight weeks later, Dan completed his treatments and is on the road to recovery. I speak for everyone when I say, Dan, we are proud of you and you are a very strong, brave, and humble man and an excellent nurse.
You are my hero!