It’s bringing tears to my eyes even writing this but I think it’s so important to share. We have a patient who has been battling rhabdomyosarcoma for several years. She is unbelievably strong and courageous, well known in the peds oncology world for her generous and successful fundraising efforts. Despite numerous relapses, she has always refused to give up and was never willing to engage in palliative care discussion let alone hospice. Those words meant the end for her. She is considered an adult and made all her own decisions, and her parents fully supported her.

Unfortunately, this past year has been particularly difficult for her. She is losing her battle. Needless to say, it’s taken a very hard toll on the family and our team; emotional distress beyond words. Our phenomenal peds oncology nurse practitioner Kathy Trimble has always been very close to this patient, at her beck and call 24/7 via emails, texts, and phone calls. Both the patient and family highly respect and depend on her. No one has been able to have the difficult conversation about the end of life and being able to make choices about how she is to die. Everyone tried to discuss palliative care but the patient just continued to refuse.

However, it’s become even more critical at this point since her health is rapidly deteriorating and the parents are scared. Kathy left work yesterday (a very busy day!) and drove one hour to the patient’s house to sit down with her and her parents to have this crucial conversation. In the end, the patient felt empowered and was able to make her choices. There is a clear direction when it becomes time. Our team and I’m sure the patient and her family are forever grateful for Kathy’s incredible kindness. She is so dedicated to her patients and she will say “it’s what I love to do.” Kathy has always been my mentor, and she never ceases to amaze me with her incredible talent, gift, and dedication. NM is truly blessed to have her on our team.