Relationships transform the Infusion Room

I did it! I passed my blood test! They kept me at the clinic today! Did I jump for joy? No. I really couldn't with cancer patients needing quiet but the nurses were pulling for me, and that felt really good. Quietly, I heard verbal celebrations like "you did it" and "congratulations" and "you can stay" and "we have really good news"! I enjoyed the spark of mixed hope and enthusiasm among us. It was really special.

So, while I am announcing that I succeeded at getting my treatment today, I am also sharing how important it is to build relationships with your nurses. They have names: Holly, Sloane, Karen, Kathy, Sara, Stephanie, Penny....the list is long. And it is obvious they appreciate being acknowledged. Often I use their name when I say 'good morning' or 'thank you' or 'goodbye'. Best is they remember me and I am Eileen. I think we're bonding!

Wonderfully, they have their own stories to tell, and they are often willing to share. I pose a question: "how was your holiday", "are you pregnant", "did you watch the game", or "do you like your job"? And while my blood is being drawn or they are hooking up my IV bags, they offer quick answers because as professionals with a schedule to keep, they must keep moving.  I love their  personal input. It feels like we're becoming friends.

I've also learned how much these nurses appreciate a sense of humor. Because of that I sometimes sing a few lines from camp songs after my treatment like "I'm alive, awake, alert, enthusiastic", and I notice these wonderful ladies smile. Then of course, there's my famous  'hallelujah' when something goes really right. That works every time, even in a quiet way.

Stop and think for a moment. When we cancer patients enter these infusion rooms at first, we are afraid, scared, even panicked about what lies ahead. Am I going to live or die? What does it mean to dump all these bags of chemicals into my body? Can I handle this? And the room itself - because of our scare - feels cold and uninviting. 

Take today when I checked in for my blood test and Kathy took my blood pressure, it was high. But she was both reassuring and calming, saying that everyone is anxious and uptight about what is going to happen. "Everyone starts the day with high blood pressure," says Kathy. "Not to worry. It will be lower when you leave." Bless you, Kathy.

What I am saying in this post is that by nurturing relationships with the very professional nursing staff, the infusion room transforms into a warm, friendly, supportive space even while I confront life and death cancer issues. For me, this is a home away from home, translating the cancer world into something I can comprehend. This is the place and these are the people who enable my personal growth through cancer.  Thank you God for the connections I am making and the guides who hold my hand. Thank you. Thank you.