I perfectly remember the first day of my treatment. I felt so scared and distressed, and I thought that room would be where I would spend the last moments of my life. Just some days before, my life changed forever, when I heard the definitive diagnosis from my doctor, and in that moment it I felt how my heart shrunk and would never be the same again. 

On the agreed-upon day, I arrived very early and put myself in her hands: I entered the small room with a comfortable chair specially for me, the IV installation device, a pillow, and a warm blanket. There was also another comfortable chair for my husband, who stayed with me on every occasion. 

I was very well received, but as soon as I sat there, I felt a great desire to cry, and I thought: What are they going to do to me? How many other women will I see suffering here? and how much will I suffer? I don't know, but my heart raced, I started to shake and suddenly I saw a beautiful woman who took my hands, knelt down to be closer and see my crying face and told me the magic words that I wanted to hear “everything is going to be fine! This is one more challenge in your life and it is temporary, it will be difficult, but you can get ahead, and this will happen like many other things happen in our lives. The important thing is not that you ask yourself why, why me? but what for? Why should you live this circumstance, what kind of person will you become from now on and then you will be able to give meaning to your life and you will continue with more serenity and patience what you must live now. We have everything to help and support you! And you will see that when you least expect it, your process will be over, and we will be very happy to take your discharge photo and wish you a wonderful life! 

By that time, I felt like my heart had opened; I was no longer crying, my body felt soft and relaxed, and I could feel it because I was very present, very aware of what I was hearing. I closed my eyes and thanked that nurse so much, because with her words she made the fear that overwhelmed me disappear. A nurse who, with her compassion, put herself in my place and made me understand everything that was coming for me. A woman who dedicated her own time to help and support us with her light and energy to go through this stage of our lives as best as possible. I watched her for so many days moving from one place to another, always aware of everyone, demonstrating her immense passion for what she does and showing her enormous leadership with her teamwork, to fulfill everything that was necessary in a timely manner. 

Not a single day went by, despite so much work, that she didn't ask me: How are you? How do you feel? Do you need anything? She transformed that room that filled me with terror on the first day, into a SANCTUARY where I could meditate, think, where I could read, distract myself, where I was comfortable and safe and most importantly: A SANCTUARY THAT HAS ALLOWED ME TO HEAL AND BE A BETTER PERSON. There are no words to thank how much I have received from Elvira and her great team, I can only say thank you for so much love, because she gave me the most valuable thing that can be given: HER TIME TO COMFORT ME AND HER WORDS WILL BE WITH ME FOREVER. I LOVE YOU, ELVI, THANK YOU. 

With Love: Leticia Osorio Lara