R is a young man who has been receiving treatment for colon cancer on the inpatient Oncology Unit and in the outpatient Infusion Center for over two years. R had multiple complications from his chemotherapy treatments and had to be hospitalized multiple times on the Oncology Unit. R developed a close relationship with his care team, in particular the nurses in both the Infusion Center and on the Oncology Unit.
In the midst of a life changing diagnosis of advanced colon cancer, R and his fiancé found out she was pregnant, expecting to deliver in June 2015. His fiancé was working only a part-time job in an effort to care for him through his journey. R consistently verbalized his concerns for his fiancé with their pending newborn and him being sick, and often wondered how they would be able to care for a newborn. The nurses consistently reassured him and often provided him with information on caring for newborns.
In June, while R was hospitalized in the inpatient unit, it was determined by his fiancé's Obstetrician that a scheduled induction was warranted. R was very uneasy with the fact that he was in the hospital and would not be present for the birth of his first child. His nurses went into action, both in the infusion room and on the Oncology Unit. The nurses collaborated with Labor and Delivery to do whatever had to be done to get R there, by her side, and most importantly there for the birth of their first child.
Both nurses made all arrangements from each team. Nurses from the Oncology unit picked up scrubs for R and got him washed and prepared for that morning to be transported over to Labor and Delivery. Nurse Delan Spaniol from the Infusion Room accompanied R and stayed with him in the delivery room until their beautiful baby girl was born. R was emotional and was grateful to the nurses and the entire team for facilitating and coordinating his presence for the birth of his first child. He was elated that the nurses worked so hard to make it a memorable day for him and his family.
R was also able to visit the Postpartum unit accompanied by his nurse to see the baby over the next couple of days. He proudly displayed pictures of the baby all over his room.
The nurses did not stop there. The nurses in the Infusion Room held a baby shower for the family and showered them with multiple gifts consisting of baby products and everything that newborn needed. A second baby shower was held by the nurses on the inpatient unit by the nurses who also showered them with gifts for their new bundle of joy.
Through team effort and collaboration of the nursing team, physicians, and social work, we were able to give R the opportunity to experience the birth of his daughter. R thanked all the team for their generosity, with a special thanks to Delan Spaniol who took time from her schedule to take him to the delivery room, stay with him, and take pictures of that life changing time for him.