My Dad was admitted to Siteman 3 weeks before my Mom was scheduled to finish her own very long and rigorous treatment of chemotherapy and radiation for advanced endometrial cancer, also at Siteman. We had been through so much with my Mom's diagnosis and treatment and were so thrilled to have the finish line in sight. This made my Dad's diagnosis even more devastating. He had advanced colon cancer that was obstructing his ureter and would need major surgery as soon as possible.
After a tricky, but successful surgery with Dr. H and Dr. M, Dad was admitted to the Schoenberg Pavilion. Jen and I connected right away as we both could tell that the other had a similar sense of humor, and my Dad loved that about Jen. He had a long road to recovery and Jen, as well as the other amazing nurses on that floor, kept my Dad comfortable, and also kept me and my Mom feeling positive and well-informed.
Upon being released, Jen provided thorough and clear instructions as well as helped us not feel nervous about his aftercare. Dad went through many difficulties and complications over the next year, and 12 days after he rang the "chemo bell", he was admitted back to Siteman with a bowel obstruction at the height of the Covid lockdown at the hospitals.
My mom and I were not allowed to be at the hospital with my Dad who was put on TPN for malnutrition and had another major surgery to remove the obstruction. We had little to no communication with him, or anyone for that matter, except for the nurses who continued to help him with everything he needed and even answered his room phone so they could talk with us about what was going on. Dad was in such bad health that he could not remember anything. The doctors and the nurses were literally his lifelines. They took such amazing care of him and he would tell me over the phone how nice they were and how he "sure had some great nurses."
Ten weeks later, Dad's cancer had already metastasized, and he was admitted back to the same floor again. This time, I was allowed to stay with him until we took him home on hospice. Those 10 days were the most meaningful times of my life and those nurses, especially Jen, were there for me every time I needed anything. They cared for him, made him (and me) crack up laughing, hugged me when I was sobbing with more terrible news, and just sat with us to help us process what was happening. I have kept in touch with Jen because I truly feel she was a gift from God for my Dad and my family. She is not only extremely skilled as a nurse, but she is so incredibly helpful in explaining any questions we had, or even help us work out what was going to be the best path of care for Dad's last days. She is our angel here on Earth and I will never forget the comfort she brought to my Dad and my family during this time. My Dad truly loved these nurses and was so incredibly grateful for them. They each had a special place in his heart. We would talk about how sweet B would get us through our nights with such love and kindness, D made him smile just by walking into the room - he loved D. Dad loved that K was like a well-oiled machine who would be in and out with the smallest amount of discomfort or disruption (we said he was the "nurse ninja"). And when our amazing Jen had a day off, she made sure that we had incredible B who is an absolute rock star in every way.
Unfortunately, I have had to spend a great deal of my life in different areas of Siteman Cancer Center over the last 2 years, and I can say with complete confidence, that this group of nurses consist of the most knowledgeable, caring, genuine, hilarious, and loving people I could ever ask to have cared for my parent. I hope that we can share the love with all of them!