It was extremely scary and emotional to be diagnosed with breast cancer at 46 years of age, and I was terrified of getting treatment for this invasive type of cancer. I've always had a phobia of needles and just the thought of getting chemotherapy through a port frightened me to death. The Infusion Room isn't just part of the cancer center, it is a special place. As soon as you step into the reception area of the Infusion Room you are greeted by a welcoming team. I have received 16 doses of chemo and was cared for by several nurses but the care I received by RN Tara was unparalleled.
A great nurse sees the patient, not the medical equipment. Tara has exceptional and consistently high standards of professionalism. As soon as she ushered me to my designated infusion chair, her caring nature helped me relax and as a result, it allowed me to receive treatment comfortably. Not only was she focused and efficient, but she also made sure to put me at ease by really getting to know me as an individual. Her compassionate and empathetic disposition made me feel like she really wanted the best for me; I wasn't just a number. She always remembered to ask me about the progress of my treatment and encouraged me to share any concerns. She is dedicated and in-tune to the patients' well-being 100% of the time.
Tara is so nurturing and passionate about her job that she paid me visits even when I was another nurse's patient for the day. She would come by and tell me, "I saw your name on the list and wanted to see how you're doing today."
On my 11th cycle of Taxol, Tara saw me in the waiting area and waved hello and gave me the thumbs up and whispered, "One more after this!" That brought tears to my eyes because only someone that truly cares would remember an important detail like that. A caring nurse helps patients maintain hope by staying positive and by reminding them to look on the bright side. And that showed me that Tara truly understands the correlation between forming a trustworthy bond and her influence on restoring someone's health.
I was fortunate to have Tara as one of my Infusion Room nurses. She is the most wonderful and caring nurse that I've ever encountered. I truly believe that her mission is to make a difference for cancer patients. And I am sure that my opinion is not alone! The Cancer Center is fortunate to have this nurse as part of their team. She is a great asset to the Infusion Room.