I wanted to take time out to give some positive feedback for Jesse who was instrumental in helping us get COVID testing for my husband's port installation. My husband was diagnosed with aggressive Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. The oncologist planned to start chemo in two weeks after diagnosis. We didn't realize that the doctor who would perform the port installation needed a consultation first. We scheduled that for Tuesday.
At that consultation, they informed us that he had to be COVID tested before surgery. I called the Surgery Center and talked with Jesse. I told her that I needed to have the port installed on Thursday or Friday so he could get chemo on Monday. She was patient and told us that all the testing facilities were backlogged by 5 days due to schools going back in session and high volumes. She recommended a site that might have a better turnaround. She spent a considerable amount of time with me on the phone providing me with options and information. We drove all the way to Muncie, and they tested my husband but said that they, too, were backlogged and we might not get results for 2 days. I called the doctor's office, but they wouldn't even schedule his surgery until we had the test results back.
I called Jesse again. I told her the situation and she looked at the sites that had rapid testing (she had checked earlier) and they were completely booked. The only option for us was to continue to look online for an opening OR wait in line in the morning to be one of the first 20 or so they took in for that day. I had called the site for rapid testing and they said that it was like Black Friday every morning, and I should arrive around 4-5 am to have a chance to get one of the tests for the day. Keep in mind that my husband has cancer and is not in shape to wait in line for 3+ hours. Jesse had done the best she could but unfortunately, I felt that there was nothing that could be done for us other than her suggestions. I felt defeated and sad and had given up hope that my husband would get treatment on Monday.
Later that evening, we got a call from Jesse. She had continued to search the sites and found some openings for us. No one had asked her to do this. She went out of her way to continue looking while I had given up. With her help, my husband was able to get tested the next day and the results were sent over to the port doctor's office. They got him in on Thursday and the port install was successful.
Needless to say, my husband was able to start his chemo treatment with a port on Monday. He received 5 drugs over the course of 9 hours. He couldn't have had this without his port. I truly believe that Jesse's action helped my husband in his fight against cancer. Every day for him matters.
When Jesse took the actions she did, she wasn't aware of our situation and how aggressive his cancer is. She did what she did because of who she is as a person. I have never written this sort of feedback for a complete stranger in my life. I feel like her actions were extremely above and beyond and I thank God for her. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.