My first encounter with Monica was in April of 2020. A CT scan had shown a large tumor in my abdomen and a biopsy was ordered. After being prepped, I was taken to the Radiology holding area. Monica came to me to explain what was going to happen. As best as I can recall, she told me that I would be given Valium, Fentanyl, Lidocaine, and sedation. I found this to be an overwhelming amount of medication and replied "Do I need all that!?" She told me that it was up to me what I took. I told her that I had never done this before and didn't want to be in pain, but really didn't want all of those drugs unless they were really necessary. So she said that if I wanted to, we could just use Lidocaine. She would tell the doctor to give me a little extra and she would be right there at all times with the other medicines and I could ask for them at any time. So I decided to do that.

As it turns out, all I needed was the Lidocaine. Knowing that she was there and had my back to not only do it my way but to be there with extra help if I needed it meant a lot to me. The tumor was malignant; a liposarcoma. A month later I had an unsuccessful attempt to remove it, as the tumor was wrapped around the Aorta and Vena Cava. So I returned to LGH in June of 2020 to have a port inserted for chemo. Again, Monica was there. When she came to be in Radiology Holding, I reminded her of the way we had done the biopsy and asked if we could do the port this way, too. She said yes and that she would again be there with other meds should I need them. When the doctor came to see me with Monica, he was explaining all the meds that they would be giving me. I told him that I only wanted Lidocaine.

He didn't argue, but his expression appeared to be that he was thinking about it. I looked to Monica for reassurance and she told him that we had done the biopsy with only Lidocaine and that she would be there with the other meds if needed. So we moved forward. The procedure was done with only Lidocaine as I wished and I had no problems at all. I appreciated that Monica had my back! Again, just yesterday, I needed another biopsy and was very happy to see Monica. Naturally, she didn't remember me as I was one masked face in many that she has seen in the last two years. But when I explained what we had done and that I wanted to do it with only Lidocaine again, she said that would be fine. She said she would be right there and would have the other meds should I need them. She said, "I've got your back!" When the doctor began giving the lidocaine injections, she was there talking to me and rubbing my legs to distract me. She checked on me constantly.

I have to say that I have told many people about my experience and specifically about Monica. I was blessed to not be scared or in need of medication to calm me down. Others might need this as they would probably be nervous or even terrified, and I know that Monica would be there to help them. But I am so grateful that she was there to help me do it the way that I wanted to. If I have to return to LGH Interventional Radiology, I will have high hopes that Monica will be there to take care of me. Over the last 2 years of treatment, I have met a lot of really nice nurses but Monica is at the top of that list and I really appreciate her!