Allison Bumsted
January 2026
Allison
Bumsted
,
BSN, RN
Dana-Farber Milford
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Milford
,
MA
United States
I am grateful for who she is and how much she cares for her patients, not just medically but emotionally. I needed that support. She is an angel.
Alison was my infusion nurse. I had a hard time emotionally with all that is involved. She is upbeat and held my hand when I cried and always said positive things. She was my biggest cheerleader. She helped me get through it all, and I am grateful for who she is and how much she cares for her patients, not just medically but emotionally. I needed that support. She is an angel.
***
Allison had been my infusion nurse for the last year and a half, from chemotherapy through current immunotherapy. From the start, Allison was clear in explaining everything she was doing and why. She has a great sense of humor, which helped me feel more comfortable during a difficult time. As she asks me questions about how I’m feeling or symptoms I might be having, it feels like a conversation instead of a checklist.
Some side effects are embarrassing to discuss, but Allison has the ability to pick up on the nuances of what I’m trying to say. She gently probes to get more information. How long has that been happening? How long? Is that new for you? She offered a wide variety of fluids to try in case some didn’t taste good to me. She even told me where I could buy them and whether they came in single-serve sizes to try out.
She makes connections with her patients. Every time I go in, she asks about my cats. She remembers that I told her I was going away for a few days and will ask me about it the next time I come in. It is Allison’s vast experience, humor, encouragement, and empathy that have really helped me to better handle my diagnosis and treatments.
***
Allison consistently provides care beyond what I could ever reasonably expect. Her professionalism, compassion, knowledge, and love of her career choice are readily apparent on every visit. She provides a welcome level of comfort while dealing with serious issues as well as occasional complications such as Covid, pneumonia, and ERCP’s. Despite a terminal diagnosis, she always has kind words of encouragement and hope that undeniably lift my spirits without negating the reality of the situation. Allison has the unique ability to infuse humor, love, and kindness into unmatched professional care.
***
Allison had been my infusion nurse for the last year and a half, from chemotherapy through current immunotherapy. From the start, Allison was clear in explaining everything she was doing and why. She has a great sense of humor, which helped me feel more comfortable during a difficult time. As she asks me questions about how I’m feeling or symptoms I might be having, it feels like a conversation instead of a checklist.
Some side effects are embarrassing to discuss, but Allison has the ability to pick up on the nuances of what I’m trying to say. She gently probes to get more information. How long has that been happening? How long? Is that new for you? She offered a wide variety of fluids to try in case some didn’t taste good to me. She even told me where I could buy them and whether they came in single-serve sizes to try out.
She makes connections with her patients. Every time I go in, she asks about my cats. She remembers that I told her I was going away for a few days and will ask me about it the next time I come in. It is Allison’s vast experience, humor, encouragement, and empathy that have really helped me to better handle my diagnosis and treatments.
***
Allison consistently provides care beyond what I could ever reasonably expect. Her professionalism, compassion, knowledge, and love of her career choice are readily apparent on every visit. She provides a welcome level of comfort while dealing with serious issues as well as occasional complications such as Covid, pneumonia, and ERCP’s. Despite a terminal diagnosis, she always has kind words of encouragement and hope that undeniably lift my spirits without negating the reality of the situation. Allison has the unique ability to infuse humor, love, and kindness into unmatched professional care.