Feeling Like Family

I have been a nurse for about 8 years, obtaining my bachelors degree from the University of New Mexico. When I graduated from nursing school, I wanted to be a pediatric nurse, but the first position available to me was on an oncology unit at a hospital in New Mexico. I was a little scared and intimidated at first, but soon grew to love the specialty and knew this was my calling. Many people think oncology is so depressing and sad. I get comments such as, "How could you work in such an unhappy place?" But the reality is that it is not an unhappy, depressing place to work. In fact, it is just the opposite. Oncology patients truly become part of your family and think of their nurses as their lifelines to better health. You get to know them and they get to know you; so much so that they start asking for you by name. Being an oncology nurse has really made me think about life and what really matters most in my life. My patient, who I’ll call A.C., and his mom were well known by all on our unit. He was someone who always smiled and asked for certain nurses by name. We all got along so well with him, maybe because he was just a kid. We felt more like his buddy than his nurse. It made me feel good knowing he could talk to me about anything. We talked about him missing school, girls, etc. It really got to me when he asked me if he was going to get better. I wanted to cry, but didn’t. I told him we would do everything possible for him and that he had no choice, but to get well. He had too much living to do. Throughout the course of his treatment we were all there for him in and out of remission. My last experience with A.C. was right before he left for the next stage of his treatment. We said our goodbyes, and he and his mom thanked me and our staff. I know A.C. is in a better place now and I am glad I was there for him at least to listen, share these experiences with him and most importantly be his friend. I will always remember A.C. in my life. For these reasons, I am an oncology nurse and feel privileged to work with the wonderful staff in our Oncology Department here at Los Robles Hospital.