My husband has a cancer that is termed CUP (cancer unknown primary). A cancer diagnosis is hard enough to hear and even harder when there isn’t a definitive diagnosis. Nicole has been such a bright guiding light in our journey. She is attentive, knowledgeable, and compassionate. On some of our darkest days, she has been our constant and steady in the storm. She is quick to respond, very knowledgeable, and a great navigator.

There are so many examples to support why she should receive the DAISY Award. In the last year, my husband has had many hurdles including hospitalizations and medical treatment setbacks which result in treatment cancellations and appointment rescheduling. Nicole, knowing we live hours away from Raleigh, realizes the hardships we experience trying to coordinate childcare while we’re out of town. When appointments are canceled it is really hard to reschedule appointments with the medical team and it also requires us to reschedule care at home. She has moved mountains to try and coordinate and accommodate all of our needs so that my husband doesn’t miss his appointments. She has effortlessly and effectively managed, organized, and delivered all imaging to various departments and hospitals in a quick, timely, and accurate fashion. She has become my friend, my go-to, my rock at Duke. She has been a major source of our peace before, during, and after each storm.

How do you repay someone who has touched your life in such a manner? One way would be to ask that she be named the next DAISY Award Honoree. We drive the extra miles to get to Duke, but she always goes the extra mile for us and our well-being. Thank you for your consideration.