Michael is a key player in the radiation oncology central nervous system (CNS) team, he plays a vital role within our team. Michael is loyal, empathetic, intelligent, reliable, and approachable and above all else he always has a positive attitude and fun to be around. He lights up the room and lightens the mood whenever he enters the room. A colleague wrote, "Who needs theatre when Michael is covering the clinic." Michael consistently is offering a helping hand, asking if someone needs relief for lunch, or volunteering to help in a different area of the clinic after he has completed CNS responsibilities. As a Marine, Michael has learned the value of the importance of a team and that no nurse is left behind (Marine talk!). There is no job too small or trivial for Michael. As one doctor in the clinic says, "Michael is easy going, yet works at a hyper speed pace!"
Being part of the CNS team requires cross-training at the Stereotactic Radiosurgery Center. The Gamma Knife machine performs the treatment for a handful of brain-related issues, but it is used most commonly and most frequently to treat brain metastasis. Each central nervous system RN is paired up with a doctor, you build close relationships with both your doctor and your patients. Unfortunately, you may see your patients time and time again at the Gamma Knife Center if metastases continue to appear and need to be treated. You build a bond with them over time as their treatment continues. One day in the midafternoon Michael got called to head over to the Stereotactic Radiosurgery Center to relieve one of the other nurses, as her shift was over. The Gamma Knife machine is located across campus at Zale Lipshy Hospital. Upon Michael's arrival, he was made aware that the patient, was not only his doctor's patient but it was a man that they have treated multiple times within the past year and Michael grew to know him well. The patient is a former Marine as well. The patient's treatment was not going to start for another hour and the treatment itself was to be 4-5hrs long. The treatment end time and patient's discharge to home time would be well past the time Michael's shift was to be over. The CNS team rotates late-night shifts for predicaments just like this. It was my turn to stay late. Gamma Knife patients have a 1:1 nurse-patient ratio. Later that afternoon around 1700 Michael called me and said that he would like to stay and care for the patient, he added that his patient is a Marine, and "he would do the same for me." I remember Michael speaking of this patient before and the stories they shared over their time enlisted. Michael's sacrifice for myself and his patient shows how much he truly cares for his patients and teammates. He ended up working a 16hr shift that day. That was supposed to be me, I was the one who was supposed to get home at midnight, but Michael chose to stay instead.
I have gotten to know Mike on a personal level as well. We started in the radiation oncology department within a few months of one another. When you are on the same disease site team and have the same silly, entertaining yet kind and hardworking mindset, it proves difficult not to flock to one another. Michael is an attentive father and husband. In his spare time, he enjoys riding his motorcycle and playing the drums. Michael has lived all over the country and world. He grew up most of his young life and received much of his childhood education in the middle east, as his father worked for the oil industry. Michael is a loyal friend who still stays in contact with his American overseas childhood friends. He has said that the experiences that they shared together, being so young in a different country is a bond that will never be broken.
I am lucky to have Michael as a teammate. He works hard for the entire clinic however I am fortunate enough to have him on the CNS team with me. Grim diagnoses and poor outcomes are an everyday occurrence on the brain cancer team. Michael is my partner in crime in the battle against brain cancer. He exudes positive vibes. We are lucky to have Michael as part of the radiation oncology family.