Since I have been on my cancer journey, Marla has been such a blessing. Every day for weeks now she lifts my spirit and gives me courage to get through this battle. She is patient, loving, kind and caring. I thank God for all of my nurses and doctors.

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From Director of the Unit: This patient was very afraid of her cancer coming back. She almost bolted from the room during her first consult but Marla caught her in her arms and allowed her to cry and verbalize her fears. This helped to settle her down so she could listen to the physician explain her treatment. Marla was great at understanding her, since she spoke with a hoarse whisper because of her throat cancer.

The previous therapy, 3 years earlier, required her to have general anesthesia because she was claustrophobic and so frightened by the treatment that she could not do it without being put under. We quickly found out that the patient could not tolerate general anesthesia now. Her heart rate and blood pressure would not return to normal and her pulmonologist said that we could not do any more general anesthesia on her. She would need to get through therapy on oral sedation.

This meant she would need a lot of encouragement and hand-holding from nursing. Marla was especially good at helping her cope with her fears and telling her she could do it. It was difficult at first, she was almost child-like in her behavior asking them to wait, just wait over and over-trying to delay what she feared most. Once she got through it a few times it became easier although it was NEVER easy. Marla would coach her through it day after day for 33 treatments. Some days I thought how does she do it, listen to the same fears and give positive reassurance that she believes in her and knows she can get through one more day. Marla gave her so much compassion and encouragement.

Towards the end of her treatment you could see a change in her, as she had a new self-confidence because she was almost done and she had done the treatments without anesthesia. She had so much pride in her accomplishment but always quick to recognize Marla for helping her to do it, for believing in her and always being at her side through her treatment providing words of encouragement on a daily basis.

On her last day she received a stuffed toy and a diploma for completing her radiation treatment. Her daughters and husband watched as she rang the bell at the end of her treatment. Her second family, the radiation oncology team of nurses, techs, doctors and support staff, were also there celebrating her huge accomplishment. Marla was there too, with tears in her eyes, as it was a joy to see her finish her treatments and know just how much she overcame to do it.

I supplemented the nomination because I know how much work it took to get the patient to treatment each and every day. There were days that we thought she just won't come back but she always did because she told Marla "I want to live".

This is just one example of the support and care Marla provided to the radiation oncology patients. She is very deserving of the DAISY Award and I want to see her honored for all her years of dedication to our cancer patients.