I met my nurse by the name of Felicia, during an involuntary stay at the hospital. During this time my pain inside and out became overwhelming. Tears were rolling down my face, not understanding how my support just up and left including my daughter. It seemed as though, they no longer saw me in jeopardy of losing my life. When doctors tell you the chemo and radiation reduces your life span, wondering did I make the right choice, by staying alive? I felt alone, misunderstood. Felica started with her testimony about cancer, during the conversation noticed my heart was trying to mend itself. She lifted my burden, by sharing her story. The moment of grief passed away with her kindness and respect for me. There was an issue with the port, but Felicia took over and used my port to draw the labs. This nurse effectively advocated for me, during the process. By not allowing anyone into the room, decrease my aggravation. Continued to be genuinely, kind to me. The communication was compassionate. My support system dropped off the face of the earth. Felicia started mending the pieces together. My thoughts of being suicidal ended, because of her sweet spirit for caring for others. Even, when I became angry at myself, discombobulated about the transition. She told me to pray and hang onto God. She was aware of my transition, unable to explain it. It's like you are no longer who you were, trying to find my new identity with God. At that moment, she explained that this was my walk, nobody else's. she encouraged me, by letting me know that I am not alone in this fight.
This nurse did more than lead by example, by putting herself in my shoes. Understanding my anger, using compassionate communication. She worked outside her comfort zone by telling me her testimony. Her excellence in holistic patient care inspired me to live, not die.
Because of her act of kindness and love, I enrolled in school for the fall to obtain a degree in marketing for small businesses and complete my practice level for American Sign Language.
Thank you.