I came to the infusion center for my first chemo treatment. As I am a nurse, but one without any clinical experience in cancer care, I was still reeling from my recent diagnosis and was very anxious when Rachel called my name to come back to take my vital signs, access my port, etc. Very quickly, I felt such a genuine connection to her as she had such a kind tone in her voice, answered my questions, and just had a calming presence for me. Her clinical skills (as a nurse, I watched her like a hawk) were impeccable. The entire time my husband and I were there, she explained everything, and I think she spent extra time with us to ensure that we were both okay throughout the process. She explained in great detail each pre-medication before she gave them to me. She also explained that she would be right there with me for quite a while with the infusion and IF I were to have a reaction, she explained at a high level the protocol that would be followed and most importantly for me, she told me that she would be right there with me along with my nurse practitioner and other nurses on the unit to get me through it. I received a small amount of the infusion and immediately started having a reaction. Rachel immediately stopped the infusion and sprang into action, delivering all the rescue medications immediately, while it seemed like hours, I know it was just several minutes before I was feeling better. While I was struggling to breathe with all the other symptoms, I kept hearing Rachel's calm, yet strong voice, and I just knew she had control of the situation. After the reaction, I was so upset that I had "failed" miserably and couldn't get my treatment. Rachel was so very sweet and reassured me that this type of reaction was rare but that many who reacted as I did went on and did well with inpatient desensitization. I am so grateful that I was one of the lucky patients who got to experience Rachel's kind and compassionate nursing skills firsthand. When I came back, Rachel was not the one caring for me at that visit, but she came to check on me. She told me that she had been checking up on me while I was inpatient. We chatted for a short time, and while it touched my heart so deeply that she cared enough to check up on me, it didn't surprise me in the least, as it is very evident that she has such a deep commitment to her patients. I am finding the journey through cancer treatment to be very difficult and overwhelming at times, but I am VERY grateful to have found Rachel, who provides me with such a beacon of bright light of kindness, caring, and compassion to help me through these trying times.