May 2024
Gayle
Banks
,
RN
Patroon Creek Suite 1
New York Oncology Hematology
Albany
,
NY
United States
She deserves all the recognition for who she is and what she’s done for her patients, new and old.
I met Gayle Banks when she was an LPN. After my chemotherapy had concluded, I was to get a monthly injection for 5 years. At each 5–6-minute appointment, every month, I got to know Gayle. She is hilarious and the sweetest girl. Around year 3, I noticed I didn’t have Gayle for my injections for a while. I thought I was just having bad luck and had my appointments on her days off. Finally, I saw her again but this time she was different. She divulged that she too had been diagnosed with breast cancer, at such a young age. I cried with her and gave her an air hug, due to COVID restrictions. Finally, year 5 came around and I thought I’d be done with my injections. This was a huge step in my recovery, but I was very sad to not be able to see Gayle every month. I brought her flowers for being such a light in my life every month. My Doctor had other plans for me, and I got 2.5 more years in injections. We both started schooling for new careers at this time. We commiserated on the pain skating task of studying while working. We both graduated with our respective new careers. While I’m beyond happy and excited for Gayle to now be an official RN, it means I don’t see her as much as I had previously. I try to find her and hug her every time I come in for my monthly injections. My 7.5 years of monthly visits to NYOH is coming to an end and again, I’ll bring Gayle some flowers to celebrate all we’ve both been through in the last 7.5 years. She’s the sweetest, most lovely and hilarious person I’ve met at NYOH. Those 5-6 minute appointments have always been such a positive light in a horrific journey that we’ve both been through. She deserves all the recognition for who she is and what she’s done for her patients, new and old.