Cancer is a word no one ever wants to hear. There is nothing that can be done to soften the blow one feels when a doctor delivers this awful news. The 2 South team knows and understands this whole-heartedly. With each medication they give, each hand they hold, and each smile they deliver, they use that knowledge to create a loving relationship to make even the hardest blows the easiest to handle.

To begin with, the team emulates the Sentara Commitments of treating a patient with dignity, respect, and compassion, always working together as a team, always keeping patients informed and involved, always listening and responding to the patient and family, and always keeping you safe. This team does not do this to gain reward, rather it is done out of a desire to provide a sense of normalcy in an environment filled with heartache and uncertainty.

One evening the night charge nurse identified her patient's sorrow that she would not be alive for her daughter's wedding in two months. She offered to make it happen. She and the night shift team called a Catholic priest. She coordinated with the dietary staff to order a cake and the supervisor to get flowers from the gift shop. Later that day, in the room with everything in place, she was able to witness her daughter getting married to the love of her life.

Another wedding was made possible for our patient. His son was getting married and he was adamant he would be attending. How do you tell your patient he is sick and needs to be hospitalized when his son is getting married? After a lot of time trying to get furlough approved the team had him all set to go. Then, things fell through. So, with much coordination with nursing staff and doctor we were able to discharge him then readmit right after the wedding was complete. The patient and his son even got ready in the hospital room. The father was dressed in his tux and his son in his military uniform.

Many anniversary dinners have been provided in patient rooms as well as vow renewals with flowers, decorations, and romantic dinners. One patient specifically stands out, he had spent every holiday getting chemotherapy, his birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and then his wedding anniversary. The unit coordinator made plans with the chef downstairs to provide a seafood dinner that would impress them all. They feasted on fried shrimp, fresh veggies, and a baked potato.

There are so many stories to tell about how this team has gone above and beyond to create exceptional experiences for our patients. These moments seem so minute in the lives of people that don't face this type of loss on a daily basis. The little things from bringing a patient awaiting guardianship their favorite foods and new personal items to wear, to calling the SPCA in North Carolina to find a homeless man's dog and his car that may have been impounded. Often, our hearts are broken, as we have lost our family. The support continued even after the patient is laid to rest. This team provides comfort when the unfamiliar surrounds every moment of the day.

Lastly, this team had the unique responsibility and privilege to care for one of their own this year. Though there was no "extra" ceremony, this team embraced their beloved manager. They brought gifts, pictures, and most of all a loving and peace by giving bedside presence. They were able to pour into her life as she found herself wrestling with the difficult scenario she had helped so many walk through herself. Perhaps this was the toughest, yet the most honorable way they could serve.

Shortly after arriving at SVBGH I was met by two members of the Oncology nursing staff who explained that they would be taking me upstairs where they would make sure I was well taken care of. Their kind words and encouragement were like a breath of fresh air, and they made me feel hopeful for the first time that day. Upon arrival in 2 South, I was treated like the only person on the floor. I received exceptional care from every nurse and patient care specialist I saw. Over the course of my five-day stay, I endured a multitude of procedures and tests and was seen by many different people, but the care was seamless. It didn't matter if a shift was just starting or winding down after twelve exhausting hours, everyone I came into contact with was positive, compassionate, and as kind and professional as they could be. Upon returning to the hospital ten months later for surgery, I had the opportunity to return to 2 South for just an overnight stay but found the care just as wonderful as during my initial visit.

I can assure you that the treatment that I and other patients receive and have received from the 2 South Oncology nursing staff is extraordinary in every sense of the word. It was the beginning of my cancer journey that has led me from a diagnosis of Stage IV Endometrial Cancer to my current status of remission. I have interacted with a lot of medical personnel in the past 20 months, but I can assure you that the nursing staff of Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital 2nd Floor Oncology is a uniquely extraordinary group of people who helped save my life.

Team Members honored with this DAISY TEAM Award:

Abby Dalton, BSN, RN, OCN Clinical Manager - Nursing Unit
Amanda Zaller RN
Anilou Castro RN-C
Anna Jones RN
Ashleigh Bowman RN
Brandi Davis RN
Brenda Shamblen NCP
Brittney Mays RN
Cara Cooke RN-C
Charlene Cruz RN Unit Coordinator-Cert
Christine Cashman RN Unit Coordinator
Christopher Hedrick RN
Cindy Patterson RN
Claudia Walker NCP
Dakota Oyer NCP
Danielle Rufi RN
Deowattie Chatterpaul RN
Donnalyn Ennels NCP
Eden Murphy RN
Elizabeth Yurina NCP
Emily Guthner NCP
Eric Gallup RN
Erin Marler RN
Faith Nichols-Shelton Admin Associate-Unit
Hannah Blevins RN
Heather Callahan NCP
Holly Miller RN
Jacob Grantham NCP
Jamie Parkin RN
Jenny Walter RN-C
Joyce Reed RN-C
Kristen Ibey NCP
Lichelle Woods NCP
Lindsay Blankenship NCP
Lindsey Fields RN
Lorri Lopez NCP
Marissa Settle RN
Melissa Geiger RN
Mia Edmundson NCP
Mikaela Barnett RN
Monica Smith RN
Patrick Ryan RN
Rachel Moseley NCP
Rebecca ONeill RN Student
Ruth Badgley RN Unit Coordinator - Cert
Samantha Fleming Admin Associate-Central
Samantha Fleming Operations Coordinator
Samantha Maupin RN
Sangita Seaburg RN
Savannah Fernandez NCP
Shailyn Arnaldo NCP
Tabatha Edwards NCP
Terri Ciccone RN
Vickie Christoffer RN
Wendy Doyle RN-C