Dana Dayton, RN is a true example of what it means to be a nurse. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work alongside her in the Oncology Unit. Every day that she cares for her patients she shows true and honest compassion, however, there is one instance that I' d like to share.
On this unit, you often become attached and develop very close relationships with many patients. There is one patient in particular that Dana grew a strong and lasting bond with very quickly. Despite this patient's diagnosis and poor prognosis after a long hard battle, the patient fought for what was her whole world, her family. Although Dana knew very well the road that was to come, she was loyal to staying "her person". Dana would spend hours after her shift with the patient, knowing she had to come back to work the next day. Much of her time was spent keeping in contact with the patient through text, with the patient's consent, when Dana was actually somewhere other than the hospital. We saw the patient often for her treatments and setbacks, we became her home away from home. However, there was a period of time that the patient was treated at another facility to receive an experimental regimen. The patient often stated that she hated being there, that they didn't know her like we did. Alone, in a place unfamiliar, and at the patient's worst. Dana made the trip up to the other facility weekly to give her the comfort that the patient longed for by seeing a familiar face.
One evening after the patient was transferred back to us, it became very apparent that she was losing her battle, and it was happening fairly quickly. At this time, Dana rushed from home to be at her bedside. The patient's husband was informed by the physician of what was transpiring, and Dana carried out an act of kindness that made it possible for the patient's husband to be with her in those final moments. The gift that Dana gave to the patient that night, as well as her husband and son, cannot be put into words. Having also been there that night through this all, I feel obligated to share this story to say thank you to Dana for all that she is and was for our patient.