I was recently hospitalized at St. Luke's for procedures to help reduce my bilirubin count. I have been dealing with Stage IV colon cancer. It has been a very challenging journey but it has been a journey softened by the wonderful people I have met along the way.
Brenda works the evening shift and she was incredibly in tune to my mental and emotional well-being. I had never been given an expiration date on my life and I was having a very hard time dealing with this.
Brenda came into my room that evening and asked if there was anything she could do for me. I told her that I was having a very difficult time sleeping because I was trying to process everything that had been discussed with me earlier in the day by my oncologist. I really do not like to bother others with my problems as I am very aware that we all have our crosses to bear.
Brenda reached for my hand and started to very gently rub my hand. I was not aware at first that she was even doing that. She never spoke a word but just simply stood there listening to me. I have no idea how long I was talking, but I do know that I felt a tremendous weight lifted off my shoulders.
Here was a nurse who never met me before and she was so compassionate about my needs. When I finally realized what had happened, I looked up into her eyes through my tears and said "you are really good!" We laughed and she gave me such a wonderful and warm hug.
It was not because she is a nurse, but because she is a blessing. The next evening Brenda sat down next to my bed and we spoke some more. It is so humbling to meet the wonderful people who have crossed my path while on this journey. I told Brenda that we become interwoven like fabric and it makes us stronger to handle the hardships.
Brenda deserves to be recognized for going over and beyond the expectations of a nurse. She is such a caring, loving and compassionate woman with a true calling and I am so blessed to have met her.