I don’t know how they do it.
How do they stay in the hunt day after day, week after week? Some of them live in cancer world for years.
There is something so special that lives inside these women and men who call themselves oncology nurses. They do so much more than administer treatment. Infact, that may be the least of their magical skills. I know they study hard to become experts in their field and they take the work very seriously. Chemotherapy is a serious medicine. Those bags are handled carefully and they are matched to the patient with extreme caution. It’s life or death in a life and death disease.
But it’s the heart in these nurses that never ceases to amaze. You know they must have bad days, but they don’t share that piece of themselves. Instead, they greet each one of their patients walking into the chemo room with a smile. They sincerely want to know how these folks are feeling…how life has been since their last visit. Their tone of voice, their helping hands make it all feel less threatening…when you know it can be the scariest place on earth.
Friendships…life long friendships are built between nurse and patient. And if the cancer wins in the end and the life-line that was created over months or years of these visits is severed, that relationship, even if it becomes distant, continues to hold a special place with the surviving family forever. Years down the road, when stories are told about the cancer struggle, it’s ups and downs, there’s always the mention of the chemo nurse. “We couldn’t have made it without her.”
No truer words were ever spoken.
March 11, 2013 @ 1:10 am
Your thinking toward the respective issue is awesome also the idea behind the blog is very interesting which would bring a new evolution in respective field.
March 6, 2013 @ 1:11 pm
The oncology nurses truly are exceptional people. “My” Carol has worked for “my” group for over 30 years and still cares very deeply about what she does and we who are her patients. She is the go-to person in the treatment room for questions and for hooking up those of us who have elusive veins. She warm and caring and involved with us. Selfishly, knowing she is of retirement age, I dread the day she announces her retirement.
Al,
We just lost my dad to several health issues, including COPD… Due to circumstances, he was in a nursing home where he was loved and well looked after. I can take no credit for care-giving, only visiting. I do give you my strength, and know that you are doing your best, as does your wife.
March 6, 2013 @ 8:55 am
Thank you for your kind words. I have been the patient for so many years and the recipient of caregiving. Fortunately, I paid attention as I was being cared for so I do know what to do. My “style” is a little different than my wife’s so we are adjusting so that her needs are met and my ‘style” is being modified as we go. I am interested in “fixing the un-fixable”…..it’s a man thing!!
A little rant on COPD. It sounds so benign. The commercials treat it as if it is just a cold. Think suffocation!!! Struggling to catch a breath. Any exertion brings gasps and labored, very labored breathing. The puffers and inhalers do some good but minimally in my wife’s case. Everything we do must be carefully planned and even then, bad things happen. She has fallen several times. Fortunately I was there. There really isn’t a name that adequately describes it but you clearly know it when you see it.
Will update.
March 6, 2013 @ 6:58 am
Al…so sorry about your situation. You have a very difficult task but the caregiver must take care of themselves so their mission can continue.
Laurie, you are so right about oncology nurses. They were always a ray of sunshine in such and made chemo days almost like a party. I don’t know how they do what they do.
March 5, 2013 @ 6:52 pm
Note to all… I have not posted for awhile. Just had hip replacement. everything going well for me. My wife has severe emphysema (COPD) and is now on oxygen full time and is mostly unable to walk. Both of these situations occurred at the same time so I am in the mode of a caregiver. Fortunately, I have recovered much more quickly than anticipated so I can take care of her. It is so difficult to watch her struggle to breathe and the nights….well they last forever and are filled with short bursts of sleep followed by an hour or so of sleeplessness….ear atuned to any abnormal noise in the night. This has occurred literally overnight but it has occurred and is now our new normal. Lots of drugs to help her breathing plus oxygen but nothing seems to help her. She and I know that emphysema is a progressive disease for which there is no cure. Neither of us anticipated that the disease would progress as quickly as it has.
You all know these circumstances and can relate very well. Sounds much like cancer and its progression. I will do the best I can for as long as it takes. Thank you for reading this. Any and all prayers are appreciated.
March 5, 2013 @ 9:29 pm
Al…You have every one of my prayers…I’ve been so worried about you…I’m so sorry about your wife. COPD shows no mercy. Please take care of yourself. You have some healing to do so take the care-giving slow and steady…You both are in my thoughts.
Laurie
March 6, 2013 @ 9:51 pm
Al–I am thinking of your wife and you during this difficult time. Your comments are always so welcome and helpful. It is hard to see someone we love suffer and I will be lifting up both of you in my prayers.
March 8, 2013 @ 12:10 am
Al, I am so sorry to hear of your wife’s illness… You are an inspiration to so many of us, a gift that has walked the path and you held the light that kept us moving forward. My prayers are with you and your wife… You hang in there, your strength will be there to support you both.
love and big hugs… Laurie
I look forward to your updates and will continue to pray for you and your wife….
March 8, 2013 @ 9:18 pm
Please know, Al, that my heart goes out to you and your wife. I had been wondering how you were, as you’ve so often posted here, and your absence has been noticed. I have so many friends experiencing suffering of one or another kind; I keep you and your family and all of my friends in my prayers. Blessings.
Spring is coming. May your thoughts go to that wonderful place we called Leroy’s Garden, where we all found respite.
March 9, 2013 @ 12:47 am
I’m so sorry to hear this news, Al. I love Mo’s reminder to visit Leroy’s Garden. It has served us well … and still does. Blessings to your and your dear wife.