My family and I were so scared when I was diagnosed with Lymphoma. We were even more frightened about the long hospital stays required for Methotrexate treatments. Everything we knew about cancer treatment included treatments that were only one day. How could things possibly be so bad as to need a week or more in the hospital?
My first stay was to monitor R-CHOP only. This is when we met Becky. My wife and I felt like she was family the moment we met her. She was strict when teaching us how to handle the changes, we were clear on the best ways to take care of me and she was kind and helpful at the same time. One day I wanted to take a shower. I told her I was dirty, tired and nauseous…and I just wanted to be clean. Now, I am a big guy: 6'4", 400 lbs. She told me that tired and nauseous don't mix with a warm shower. It was obvious once she said it, the vision of me passing out on the bathroom floor would not be good for anyone. We are so glad she was there, constantly checking in to keep things safe.
My wife and I are both extremely sarcastic. Becky put up with our strange sense of humor and helped us to find ways to laugh. My wife found it difficult to ask for things because she didn't want to bother the nurses. But when Becky was in the room, she always asked what she could do for us. She suggested a warm blanket on our first day. She offered ice water. My wife felt cared for too. Becky did not give us a chance to ask for meds. She was prompt to bring routine meds and review each one for accuracy. She was always aware of pain levels and if pain-killers were needed.
Becky exemplifies everything we hope for in a nurse. We felt she was in this cancer fight alongside us.