May 2024
Maria 'Marica'
Balan
,
BSN, RN
Infusion Center
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Los Angeles
,
CA
United States
At the end of his last treatment, the infusion center nurses came in, playing "Staying Alive" on a phone and danced around my dad while my mom and I cried.
My 81-year-old father was diagnosed with a diffused lymphoma and had to have chemotherapy for 3 months. While all of the nurses in the infusion center were very nice Marica stood out. Both of my parents have hearing issues, and Marica made sure they understood everything that was going on. My sister and I were present for all of my dad's treatments in addition to my mom, so not only was she dealing with her patient, but she was dealing with all of the women in my family, which can be challenging. We are of Italian descent and look out for and up to our daddy. When no other patients were in the treatment room, Marica let us sit with him. When we couldn't we would check on him every 1/2 hour. Marica had us change the times my dad took his meds so he could sleep better. She gave us advice that helped make him more comfortable. She was very attentive and made sure he always had something to eat during his 6-hour treatments. She addressed all of his needs and all of the concerns my family brought forward. She was patient and kind and shared her own story of going through treatment, which really helped my dad. At the end of his last treatment, the infusion center nurses came in, playing "Staying Alive" on a phone and danced around my dad while my mom and I cried. What a special group these ladies are!