It was a shocking diagnosis that rocked a Lee County family. A was a healthy 49-year-old when he developed persistent back pain. Doctors discovered a large mass on his back that was eventually diagnosed as sarcoma, a rare but serious form of cancer. “His outlook was, ‘when this is over, I’ll have a story to share.’ He never said, ‘why me?’ He said, ‘Why can’t I be the one God gives a story to,’” A’s wife, M, said. “His goal from day one was to share his story. He was always positive, and all of his nurses were positive and uplifting, and they made the journey bearable.”

M wanted to highlight some of those outstanding nurses as the nation celebrates National Nurses Week. “All of those ladies touched our lives at every moment in so many different ways. They are truly in the profession they are meant to be, not just to take care of the patient, but their family,” she said.

When A returned to Phoebe, nurse Christelle Dawkins in the Oncology Unit exhibited a calm, patient demeanor and attentiveness. “She answered every call for pain medications, more blankets, and anything we needed. Christelle made us feel like we were her only patient on the floor,” M said.