The Heros Looking After Me While I Fight Cancer At Duke Raleigh Cancer Center

I have a huge team at Duke Raleigh Cancer Center looking after me. I want to introduce you to my team a couple at a time so you know I am in good hands, and I want to share these angels looking after me. These are fun people dealing with serious issues and make it tolerable for the patients and themselves.

This is Pat who accesses my port and draws blood for my labs on chemo days. We have the best time together and I can't say for sure, but I can totally imagine her in the 60's with flowers in her hair in a VW micro bus. I accuse her of using dull rusted needles and she never denies it. She is an absolute sweetheart putting up with me, or is it the other way round. Our sense of humor is equal and on the same level.

Tammy is one of Dr. Agrawal's nurses and has been with us from the beginning. She is quick to interpret what the Doctor is saying and makes sure every point and question is covered. Anytime we meet in the building, she stops to say hello and ask how I am even on non-doctor days. Love her to pieces and look forward when she comes in the room. That smile ain't fake, but she has a very deep concern for all her patients, but of course I'm her favorite!

 Vickie is definitely a perfect match for my sense of humor in the infusion pod. We have a ball together passing jabs at each other. Our running joke comes from last year when I couldn't swallow anything and was severely dehydrated. She said we needed to connect me to a water hose and turn it on full blast. My next visit I told her I took her advice and it worked! The look of shock on her face was priceless. What I actually did was go outside and turned up a bottle of water and chugged it down. Most of it stayed down! I did it outside for obvious reasons, but after that I was able to swallow some fluids! She's still a sweetheart and we can't wait to verbally trade punchlines.

  


Marcia is another fun RN and is all business when it comes to making sure my port is working both ways. She can always get it going without calling Pat. I don't get her as often as the others on the list, but she's always on the ball and always has that smile on her face.

Tricia came on board late last year and puts up with me now and then. They all seem to have a high tolerance for whatever I come up with. You know me, I attack seriously ridiculous situations with seriously ridiculous sarcasm, and they all expect me to come up with something off the wall. She is very aware that I will come up with something totally off the wall.

 I first met Jennifer on the other side of the building in Infusion POD A when I was getting fluids. I fell asleep immediately and had no clue when she checked my armband and she had to wake me up after the alarm went off when the bag was empty. I still fall asleep while getting fluids, but she takes credit that POD A is the best sleeping room. I guess when I trust the caretakers, I have nothing to worry about.

I pick on Sarah whether she's working with me or not. When I asked her to take a selfie with me, her first question was what am I going to do, make a voodoo doll? I hadn't thought of it, but they do poke needles in me, so why not? Jennifer started laughing and I asked her if she had a strange pain in her shoulder. One never knows!

Kristen got a little break from me last year when she had a baby, but she's gotten her fill of me since she got back. I asked her if it was hard coming back to work and she replied she was so glad to be back with her patients and a normal routine. It's very clear she loves what she does and gives 100% to make us patients comfortable.

Anee' is a newer addition to my hero list. She has only put up with me a few times, but enough to know to expect the unexpected from me and earn a selfie with my bubbly face. She and Vickie often tag team me to see how off the wall they can push me. She's definitely someone you want on your team!

Amber used to work on the floor and has put up with me several times. She's now my Nurse Navigator after replacing Jane who got an awesome opportunity in Boston. She's not the kind of navigator that gives tours of the building, but I'm sure she would if I asked. Her job is to help prepare patients on  how to navigate the treatment process and make sure appointments are aligned between the Doctors and procedures, as well as tax advise and how to assemble a great support system to get through the process. 

Kim is the Nursing Assistant for the floor and one of the hardest working people I have ever met. I was squatting down in this picture so we'd both fit in the frame, but what she lacks in height is made up with her great attitude with everyone around her. She does not greet strangers and I don't think she has ever met a stranger. To look at her, you'd think she was too young to work here, but in fact she's a Grandmother! I guess that's why she tolerates me so well.

 

 Keith has been there for every chemo treatment and surgery. All cancer patients need both professional and non-professional support teams and as you can see, I have the best of the best backing me up. Keith drove me to every appointment when I couldn't have driven and even obliged when I requested taking the long way home through the country, just to be away from the hospital or home. 




Last, but not least, I have a huge network of prayer warriors backing me up from numerous churches, friends and family. I really do appreciate every one of you that have been keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you all for your help.