Earlier this summer my wife spiked a fever after completing her chemo treatment for follicular lymphoma. She was neutropenic and it was quite scary for us. While we were seen in the ED, all of the staff we saw that night were exceptional. As an interracial lesbian couple, we are never sure what to expect when seeking healthcare and sharing our marital status. Throughout the time we were waiting to get my wife admitted, Joyce came in and would ask if there was anything she could do for her. Then she would ask me if I needed anything, always acknowledging me, making me feel that she was giving me care as well. She acknowledged us as a family and treated us with sincere care at every level.
By the time we were sent to her unit, we were both exhausted and stressed, and I got on the gurney with my wife to see if we could get some sleep while we waited for the room. Joyce walked into the room and said, "Awwww. Let's put up the rail and I'll wheel you up to the unit together." I was blown away by this act of kindness and empathy for our situation.
Joyce's treatment of us might seem basic to many. However, it is truly stressful to not know what health providers will do or how they will treat us. And in the past, we have had some "cold" experiences with some health providers after we communicated our marital status where it made us feel judged, and even more vulnerable and stressed out about the care we would receive. My wife and I felt strongly that Joyce treated us as a family and recognized the importance of my involvement and presence in my wife's care.
Joyce made a very big difference for us in one of the most stressful and scary episodes of my wife's cancer journey. Everyone in the ED and on 8SA was amazing. You've got an incredible team looking after your most vulnerable families. Thank you for leading in the nursing care at UWMC. This is one of many reasons UWMC is #1!