This story is about my husband, D, and his friend, Dory Bakley. D knew Dory for many years as a neighbor and friend before he knew that she would become the nurse that would be beside him when he walked into the hospital for each chemo treatment. Dory was a special person to us, but she was and is a nurse that gives all of her heart to make her patients feel comforted when she walks into the room.
Dory was there for us each time that we fell apart because cancer just beat us down. Dory encouraged us and kept our schedule moving through the many chemo treatments needed to keep this disease at bay. Dory had knowledge and skills that were used with a gentle compassion. Dory would always answer the call when we had questions. We had no idea what it would do or how much our lives would change in the many months of treatments but if we were concerned or needed help Dory was able to find the resources to help us and make that part our struggle a little easier.
I know that D would tell you that Dory is a most extraordinary nurse and deserves to be recognized in her field. As hard as it was for us as a family to endure this terrible disease and lose the person we loved, I know that Dory endured an even greater challenge by taking care of our loved one and losing a friend to a disease that she has devoted her career to helping each person that faces this disease.