A nomination from a co-worker stated: “Last week, a known patient had a follow-up appointment at the Mahr Cancer Center. The patient’s wife has Alzheimer’s and could not be left alone because she is a flight risk. At a previous appointment, the patient had his wife stay in the car, however, she wandered off, was lost on campus, and security had to be called to help. Knowing he couldn’t leave his wife in the car again, he brought her into our lobby. While in the lobby, she was very irritated and anxious, yelling over and over and rocking. The patient shared that due to his wife’s disease, especially when anxious, she often makes loud noises. 

When Rebecca went to the lobby, she saw the patient’s wife in this state. Recognizing that the patient and physician would be distracted with the patient’s wife in the room, Rebecca offered to sit with her when it was his turn to see the physician, so it would be a quality appointment. With the patient’s wife in a wheelchair, Rebecca brought her out of the lobby and started wheeling her around the Mahr Center to try to distract and ease her anxiety. At first, the patient’s wife wouldn’t even look at Rebecca. They decided to sit by the door so she could see outside and during this time, Rebecca was able to have a conversation with the patient’s wife, who revealed that she loved the outdoors and flowers. Rebecca and Sheila, the Oncology Dietician, temporarily propped the door open so the patient’s wife could get some fresh air and enjoy the sunshine and beauty of the day. Rebecca tried to glean what other things she enjoyed and, in doing so, the patient’s wife opened up and conversed with her. She began smiling and even laughing at various times throughout their conversation. While sitting there, Rebecca asked her if she liked to look at pictures and she replied, “Oh yes, I love pictures”. So, Rebecca sat down on the floor next to her and took out her phone, and asked the patient’s wife what kind of pictures she liked. Her reply was “all pictures” so Rebecca started showing her pictures of her own children, pictures from some of their vacations, and other photos. She asked the patient’s wife if she liked pictures of waterfalls and she replied that she Loved waterfalls, so Rebecca started showing her pictures of different waterfalls that she had taken when hiking with some of her fellow nurses. 

Staff members who observed this interaction were so touched by Rebecca’s actions. One commented, “Rebecca showing her pictures and Sheila leaning over the wheelchair looking at photos with the patient’s wife was the most precious thing ever!”. One co-worker wrote a recognition card to Rebecca about being the hands and feet of Christ of her actions with this patient’s wife and two others also wrote recognition cards for Rebecca’s compassion. The patient was also grateful. In Hematology and Oncology especially, our role is to not only care for the patient but also their families. Rebecca’s actions comforted the patient’s wife, which allowed the patient to be at ease and have a quality visit with the physician. By nature, Rebecca is one of the kindest and most compassionate nurses in the Mahr Center, but her actions on this day were above and beyond.”