Heather demonstrates all the ICARE values, especially compassion and excellence. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2017 at the age of 37. As you can imagine, this diagnosis left me in complete shock and led to mild depression and anxiety. My treatment plan included embryo freezing, chemo, and surgery. The chemo treatment was the step I dreaded the most. The word itself has such a horrible stigma attached to it.
I was given a tour of the infusion center and I couldn't even finish it because I was so upset. That is when I first met Heather. She came out to meet and reassure me. My first day of chemo was terrifying for me. It took every bit of courage I had to just get out of the car and walk to my appointment. She gave me a VIP room with a view and coordinated getting me some calming medicine in my chemo "cocktail". She also let me borrow her own personal clothing because I needed a change of clothes. In an effort to keep my hair, I also used cold cap therapy during chemo. She connected me with a former cold cap patient, so I could get some tips and hear her experience. Wow, what an impression she made on my family and me that day. Her only job that day was to administer a chemo cocktail to me. She recognized my extreme fear and anxiety and went above and beyond to comfort me.
After my diagnosis, I began an obsession with frogs. Frogs are considered good luck and I learned F.R.O.G. stands for Fully Rely On God. This became my mantra in life and has helped me get through this tough time. I bring frog memorabilia to every treatment for added comfort. On my last day of chemo, Heather presented me with a Chemo Completion Certificate with a frog graphic on it especially for me.
At every subsequent chemo treatment, Heather always makes sure I have my special room and brings in an extra nurse to hold my hand when she accesses my port. I never asked her for someone to hold my hand but she knew that my mom always held my hand when she attended my previous treatments. I have now graduated and am able to go to my treatments by myself because I know I am in more than good hands with her taking care of me. I have come a long way, I now have confidence and comfort and it is due greatly to her compassion and excellence as a Methodist nurse. I never felt judged by her with all my silly idiosyncrasies or rituals that I perform on chemo day. Heather always makes me feel loved and like I am her only patient. Recently, she was pulled to another department on my day of treatment. Knowing this would make me very nervous, she called to check on me and made sure my nurse knew of my custom care.
Methodist has a reputation for personalized care. You are not just a number at Methodist and considering my heightened anxiety level, that is what I needed. Heather is a truly special person and a true DAISY Nurse.