I'm a new EPOCH R chemotherapy patient here at TGH.  I have a very rare cancer called Richter's Syndrome. It is a very rare and difficult cancer to treat and won't be totally cured. 

I came to TGH for my first round a few weeks ago. I was unsure, overwhelmed, and scared with not a lot of family support or people to even come see me in the hospital. My treatment would be non-stop 24-hour chemotherapy for 5 days straight in TGH. Very scary to be thinking of being alone for those long days and nights, not really knowing anyone or anything about the treatment I would be getting.
 
Edwin was the chemotherapy-certified nurse who would access my port and get me started on my first round. 
He went above and beyond to make me comfortable even though I was clueless as to what was about to happen to me. Turned out the port piece I was used to wasn't in stock and he had to use a larger piece which would be sticking up off my skin not sitting flush with my skin. with me being slightly clumsy, he took the time to wrap and secure my port with extra gauze to make sure there wouldn't be any problems over the next 5 days of the treatment. He took the time to explain what treatment I was going to be getting. He showed me how to reach him if I had any trouble or reactions and he made me feel safe and secure.

He stopped in frequently to check on me, ask how I was doing, and just generally show kindness and concern even though he was charge nurse with a busy schedule running all over TGH administering chemotherapy to others all over the hospital in other departments. 
I had a panic attack my 2nd night there and he was very quick to come to my aid and check my vitals and even get me a portable EKG test done. Thankfully it was just a panic attack to the chemotherapy I was getting. 
     
Also, he always takes time to see if I’m in the hospital, he stops by to say hi and check to see how I’m doing and how I’m feeling even if he has 10,000 other things, he is taking care of. He makes me feel genuinely cared for. He is always available to offer his opinion to any questions I have, any explanations I need for the treatment, medicines, or anything else that might be on my mind.

He explained what the lab numbers meant, and what the different labs were for, and when I had a reaction, he still made time for me to offer comfort even though I wasn't technically his patient that day.  He even was training L on my first night and still had time to help show her the correct way to do things while still making me comfortable. 

I COULD NOT GET THROUGH THIS TREATMENT WITH PEOPLE LIKE EDWIN!!!!

He really is the man, the myth, the legend that is Head Nurse Edwin.

Note: This is Edwin's 2nd DAISY Award!