I was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 29. Needless to say, hearing this diagnosis really rocked my world. Dr. K and her team prepared me for my treatment which would include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. The surgery was hard, but the scariest step was chemotherapy.
On my first day in the infusion center, I met Rachel. Right from the beginning, we bonded and I knew there was something special about Rachel.
My first day of chemo I was in slot #10, this is the day I was born and has always been my number. Rachel was also born on the 10th. Each week Rachel would save slot #10 for me.
Rachel showed compassion and genuinely cared about me and every member of my family. On Day 1 my dad said he was squeamish with needles, from that day forward Rachel would warn him about the needle and send him for coffee instead of sitting in the room. Rachel always made sure my family and I were all comfortable
The symptoms of Chemotherapy are very tough and as the sessions continued I would dread going to the infusion center with the exception of seeing Rachel. My treatments were every other Thursday and I am told Rachel changed her schedule around and rearranged her days off so she could be there for me. At each session, I knew she really cared about me as she encouraged me and celebrated my progress along the way.
Rachel has gone above and beyond from the first day I met her and has significantly made a difference in my treatment journey. Rachel embodies all the qualities a nurse should display and is a true joy to be around.