July 2021
Melissa
Curran
,
RN
Oncology
Monadnock Community Hospital
Peterborough
,
NH
United States
Melissa helped me through an emotional time so I could prioritize what needed to be done while caring for his nutritional needs, pain control options, and feelings of sadness and loss of independence.
From the very beginning of my husband's oncology treatments, Melissa became the nurse he looked forward to taking care of him while he was having chemotherapy. She greeted him and made him feel as if he was her patient. Her honesty, professional nursing care, providing answers to questions from both of us, and providing a warm secure feeling as his journey through the disease progressed, has made a huge impact on our lives. Just to know that conversation was encouraged and shared made our visits to this department a time where we could relax and feel comfortable while receiving care. Her attention to detail, nursing skill in drawing blood and administering chemotherapy and other medications over the years is a task that has shown through from the beginning. The disease progression has made us understand how special and important a nurse is. Now comes the COVID-19 issue. No longer can a spouse accompany a patient for treatment. Things have totally changed. As can happen to some patients with advancing disease, cognitive changes can occur. This is a dilemma. I was used to being a back-up for my husband’s multitude of medical issues. Melissa would provide a telephone call to me with information reminders if my husband could not remember a particular issue. My husband found that as his cancer became more complex, she took time to ask how WE really were dealing with the cancer. During this time of not being with my husband for his treatment, she helped me through an emotional time so I could prioritize what needed to be done while caring for his nutritional needs, pain control options, and feelings of sadness and loss of independence. Melissa is the type of nurse that is totally dedicated to providing the very best care to her patient and spouse ensuring they are well cared for with her professional manner, educational teaching, and genuine concern for all the ups and downs with living with cancer.