My husband, E, was referred to University of Pennsylvania from another facility for treatment of a rare sinus cancer. Before coming to Penn, we did not know what to expect as our previous experience with the other facility's Radiation Oncology Department was not very positive. When Meg came out to the waiting area and called us back to the consultation room she introduced herself and stated "you are our special patient and we are so glad that you are giving us the opportunity to treat you and we are so glad you chose to come here". This made us feel so welcomed. We knew what she meant as he does have a rare cancer and not very commonly seen. Meg spent an hour plus with us educating us on what to expect and the plan of care for the next 7 weeks. She stated she would follow E through the process. When Meg left the room, I said to E "wow she is the real deal!" Her approach with E was so uplifting. Meg developed the patient family relationship within minutes from her introduction. Meg set the bar high for the rest of the department. She showed empathy towards E's diagnosis and what we were going through as a family. Meg made us feel at ease and very comfortable.
Typically, I did not take E to his treatments as we are from out of town. E looked forward to seeing Meg when he came in for his treatments. Meg always gave E the time he needed to express his concerns, fears, and issues. She would always sympathize with him and what he was experiencing as a patient, which is very touching and encouraging. Meg treats her patients as going through an awful experience and trying to make her patients as comfortable as possible as they go through it. When you have someone like Meg following you through it all, it makes the patient much less anxious.
About a week ago, I took E to his appointment. I had not seen Meg since our initial visit which was about 8 weeks ago. She saw me and gave a big hug and asked me how the kids and I were doing. That touched my heart as I hadn't seen her for weeks. It was like I had known her for years.
Meg is an extraordinary nurse who has the ability to make a painful and awful experience into a more positive one. She gives you the strength and courage to get through this each and every day. Her ability to make patients feel comfortable and at ease, at a time like this is so encouraging. Meg's interactions with her patients and family members are remarkable.
Personally, I have had 2 encounters with Meg both very positive and reassuring. I cannot be with E during his treatments but knowing Meg is looking after E sure makes it easier. Meg is an asset to the Radiation Oncology Department and most importantly and asset to her patients. Meg has all the qualities of what a nurse is.
I have been a nurse for 24 years and from the moment I met her, I knew what an excellent nurse she is. As a nurse, you look for certain qualities and how they interact with you/family and how they make you feel. Meg has so much to give to her patients and she does that every day. Meg is definitely a role model for others. Being a nurse is not a job for Meg, being a nurse for Meg is taking care of her patients and making the treatment of cancer as easy as possible day to day.
Meg has touched E's heart. E has the most upmost respect for Meg. When you are down and out its Meg who can give you her smile and say we are here with you. Meg loves her job and through her interactions with her patients and the way she presents herself every day you can see it. Just yesterday, I asked E if he saw Meg. He stated, yes and she was her calm cool collected self. E stated she was instructing me what to do and what to expect the last week of treatment. She is an angel. Meg has a gift; a gift that she is willing to share with others.