Paula Luna
October 2020
Paula
Luna
,
BSN, RN, RN-BC
Gyn/Onc Clinic
Levine Cancer Institute
My husband and I still talk about Paula and how kind she was to us that day.
On a day when I felt broken and scared, Paula Luna helped me. She was my angel, and I will be forever grateful for her kindness and compassion. I am an Atrium Health teammate. I work as a lawyer in the Office of General Counsel. I am definitely someone who is accustomed to feeling "in control."
I was diagnosed with cervical cancer, and that feeling of control disappeared! I underwent a radical hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy. My surgery was a success and I received amazing care from everyone at LCI and CMC. Although I was so grateful that the surgery was successful, I really struggled afterward. I felt like I had been hit by a truck. I had to go home with a catheter, and I was embarrassed (and still am telling this story!)
When I got home, I could not for the life of me figure out how to attach the catheter leg bag! I was exhausted, in tears, scared that I was going to give myself an infection, and feeling like a failure that I couldn't figure out how to work something so simple. I called the LCI Gyn Clinic and Paula Luna answered. She listened to me patiently while I sobbed. I tried to explain that I couldn't figure out how to connect the catheter leg bag. I know I wasn't making any sense!
After asking me a few questions, she said, "Why don't you just come into the office?" She saw my husband and me that same afternoon - within the hour. She patiently showed me how to work and clean the catheter. She made sure I had alcohol wipes and extra supplies. Most importantly, she reassured me that how I was feeling was normal after what my body had been through and that everything was okay. I still get teary when I think about that moment. I was feeling just so low and miserable. Her kindness lifted my spirits and gave me back a feeling of control. I felt like at that moment I began to heal.
My husband and I still talk about Paula and how kind she was to us that day. We do not know what we would have done without her. When I went in for my checkup last week, I saw Paula and she remembered me! I couldn't believe it, since she must see hundreds of patients. (I said I really must have been a basket case that you still remember me!) I'm so grateful to Paula. She is a caring and compassionate nurse and just a wonderful person.
I was diagnosed with cervical cancer, and that feeling of control disappeared! I underwent a radical hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy. My surgery was a success and I received amazing care from everyone at LCI and CMC. Although I was so grateful that the surgery was successful, I really struggled afterward. I felt like I had been hit by a truck. I had to go home with a catheter, and I was embarrassed (and still am telling this story!)
When I got home, I could not for the life of me figure out how to attach the catheter leg bag! I was exhausted, in tears, scared that I was going to give myself an infection, and feeling like a failure that I couldn't figure out how to work something so simple. I called the LCI Gyn Clinic and Paula Luna answered. She listened to me patiently while I sobbed. I tried to explain that I couldn't figure out how to connect the catheter leg bag. I know I wasn't making any sense!
After asking me a few questions, she said, "Why don't you just come into the office?" She saw my husband and me that same afternoon - within the hour. She patiently showed me how to work and clean the catheter. She made sure I had alcohol wipes and extra supplies. Most importantly, she reassured me that how I was feeling was normal after what my body had been through and that everything was okay. I still get teary when I think about that moment. I was feeling just so low and miserable. Her kindness lifted my spirits and gave me back a feeling of control. I felt like at that moment I began to heal.
My husband and I still talk about Paula and how kind she was to us that day. We do not know what we would have done without her. When I went in for my checkup last week, I saw Paula and she remembered me! I couldn't believe it, since she must see hundreds of patients. (I said I really must have been a basket case that you still remember me!) I'm so grateful to Paula. She is a caring and compassionate nurse and just a wonderful person.