At first glance, Michele may appear to be just your average, everyday wonderful nurse. But Michele has extraordinary gifts which allow her to extend supernatural compassion and skill to every patient she cares for. Michele joined our team on Infusions in Feb 2015, transferring from the ER. In a short time, she earned her Chemotherapy/Biotherapy credentials. Our unit cares for a wide range of patients. Those that need blood component transfusions or electrolyte replacement, those who need maintenance therapy for auto-immune disease and then our cancer patients. As one might expect, caring for patients with a cancer diagnosis requires extra skill in knowing the various drugs, dosages and dangers of administering these drugs, as well as the compassion and humility needed to minister to the patient and their loved ones. Michele puts these patients at ease with her friendly, easy going nature and great sense of humor.
Recently, a newly diagnosed patient with bladder cancer began his chemotherapy treatment with us. Michele was able to put him and his loved ones at ease as he was extremely nervous and anxious. She respectfully cautioned him about the damages of his refusal to have a PORT surgically implanted for his chemo. She knew the chemo would wreak damage on his veins. He did eventually get a PORT, but not until his second cycle of chemo caused pain and hardening of the veins in his arms. She developed such a good rapport with him that when he needed extra encouragement he knew it was just a phone call away. When he arrived one day for his treatment, Michele was able to pick up on his frail and weakened condition and alert his physician. This prompted his doctor to delay his chemo for a week, which allowed his body the extra rest and hydration it needed.
She is always looking out for her patients and advocating for them. One of the amazing ways Michele lavishes her patients with extra TLC is knitting them beautiful afghans! Those gorgeous blankets lift their spirits and instill the beauty of hope into their souls. It has a therapeutic benefit which counters the deleterious effects of their treatment.
Another patient comes to our unit three times a week for electrolyte replacement therapy for a very rare disease. Michele has cared for her in ways that go above and beyond her role as her nurse. They have become very good friends as Michele is an excellent listener and has been able to bring her much comfort and good advice, as this patient struggles with a multitude of family issues. It is not uncommon for me to find Michele sitting in this patient's treatment room sharing lunch with her. When Michele knew the cafeteria was serving one of this patient's favorite foods, she made the extra effort to go downstairs to purchase it, even though she had brought her own lunch for the day. She knitted her the most beautiful afghan with her favorite colors.
Recently, one of our elderly cancer patients ended up hospitalized from complications from her treatment. Michele very quickly knitted her a beautiful afghan within days! When she brought her the afghan, her smile lit up the whole room. It was as if her hope and faith were restored. The patient and her husband were so overwhelmed with tears of joy.
These are just a few examples of how Michele shares her passion for caring for others in amazing and beautiful ways, and why she is so deserving of the DAISY Award!