On my first day of chemo, I met the most compassionate and outstanding nurse! Linda and I clicked right away. She always made sure I was comfortable and explained everything. As treatment proceeded, I became much weaker. One day, at a visit to the doctor's office, my son and I received the devastating news that chemo would be discontinued permanently due to my weakened condition. The current drugs were not working, and the alternate course of chemo could weaken me to the point of being unable to do anything permanently. My chemo appointment for that day was changed to an appointment for fluids. The office called ahead of my arrival to inform Linda of the change. Upon our arrival to IV Therapy, I had to use the bathroom. My son and Linda waited outside the bathroom door. The news was devastating, and my son, my only child, was visibly upset. He had tears in his eyes and was trying hard not to totally break down. Linda tried to comfort him. I had often told my son how compassionate and wonderful Linda was. My son felt comfortable and totally at ease with her. He proceeded to tell her how his father had suffered and died of cancer in 2002. My illness brought back all of those memories, and it was more than he could handle. He let his tears flow. He said that being present in a medical facility of any type greatly upset him.

At a future visit (appointment), I was expressing sadness and frustration that my son wasn't patient with me, and he was complaining about all the time and trips he was making to care for me. Linda then shared the conversation she had with my son, and that reassured me that my son did love me. Linda and I talked about grief and that sometimes grief can come out as anger. This helped explain what was happening with my son, and this brought me understanding and such peace. Linda will always be special to me.