Angelu R Garcia
November 2022
Angelu R
Garcia
,
BSN, RN
Bone Marrow Transplant Unit
South Texas Veterans Health Care System-Audie L. Murphy
San Antonio
,
TX
United States
During a day of karaoke, Ms. Garcia came into the breakroom and said, “This would make his day.” She went on to unplug the karaoke machine and wheeled it outside of the patient’s room then turned on the music.
Ms. Angelu Garcia is a nurse in the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit (BMT). The BMT unit specializes in the care of patients with cancer or other diagnoses that impact a patient’s bone marrow. Many times, these patients may have psychological stressors associated with diagnosis and treatment plans. The unpredictability of the diagnosis and treatment plan at times can contribute to anxiety and uncertainty. In working in the BMT unit, Ms. Garcia finds various ways to lift the spirits of their patients.
During Nurses Week, the unit had several mini events, rock painting, games, food, and karaoke. During a day of karaoke, Ms. Garcia came into the breakroom and said, “This would make his day.” She went on to unplug the karaoke machine and wheeled it outside of the patient’s room then turned on the music. Intrigued, the nurses followed to see what Ms. Garcia was up to. The position of the karaoke machine was out of the view of the patient, so Ms. Garcia rearranged the room a tad bit, by unplugging IV poles and pulling the bed out just enough so the patient could see the disco lights on top of the karaoke machine. Ms. Garcia, together with her team, began to sign “Y-M-C-A” and with the recommendation of the patient, changed the words to “B-M-T-U” with the added arm gestures as well. At the end of the song, Ms. Garcia, asked the patient, which other song he wanted to hear, and Whitney Houston’s, "I Want to Dance with Somebody", was played. It was like, we were at the patient's very own concert, as he sang, moved his shoulders, and had the largest smile on his face. Ms. Garcia was right, this indeed, made his day. At this moment in time, the patient was not focused on his terminal cancer diagnosis or the pain. Throughout the shift, you would see Ms. Garcia inside the room dancing and singing with the patient. Ms. Garcia didn’t worry if she was on pitch or on the right beat, she focused on making that moment special for her patient.
The patient was moved by the selfless act of Ms. Garcia and shared his words with tears in his eyes on how significant the karaoke day was for him. He asked to see the recorded clips and stated, “my LAST DANCE and she made it happen.” This is a happy story with a sad ending as the patient passed away a few weeks later. It was the honor of Ms. Garcia’s leadership to nominate her for this award on behalf of her patient. She continuously goes above and beyond with every patient and exhibits all the ICARE values.
During Nurses Week, the unit had several mini events, rock painting, games, food, and karaoke. During a day of karaoke, Ms. Garcia came into the breakroom and said, “This would make his day.” She went on to unplug the karaoke machine and wheeled it outside of the patient’s room then turned on the music. Intrigued, the nurses followed to see what Ms. Garcia was up to. The position of the karaoke machine was out of the view of the patient, so Ms. Garcia rearranged the room a tad bit, by unplugging IV poles and pulling the bed out just enough so the patient could see the disco lights on top of the karaoke machine. Ms. Garcia, together with her team, began to sign “Y-M-C-A” and with the recommendation of the patient, changed the words to “B-M-T-U” with the added arm gestures as well. At the end of the song, Ms. Garcia, asked the patient, which other song he wanted to hear, and Whitney Houston’s, "I Want to Dance with Somebody", was played. It was like, we were at the patient's very own concert, as he sang, moved his shoulders, and had the largest smile on his face. Ms. Garcia was right, this indeed, made his day. At this moment in time, the patient was not focused on his terminal cancer diagnosis or the pain. Throughout the shift, you would see Ms. Garcia inside the room dancing and singing with the patient. Ms. Garcia didn’t worry if she was on pitch or on the right beat, she focused on making that moment special for her patient.
The patient was moved by the selfless act of Ms. Garcia and shared his words with tears in his eyes on how significant the karaoke day was for him. He asked to see the recorded clips and stated, “my LAST DANCE and she made it happen.” This is a happy story with a sad ending as the patient passed away a few weeks later. It was the honor of Ms. Garcia’s leadership to nominate her for this award on behalf of her patient. She continuously goes above and beyond with every patient and exhibits all the ICARE values.