Breast cancer has played an enhanced role in my life recently.
A few weeks ago, a friend and mentor lost her battle to it.
Thursday, my friend and work partner “graduated” from chemotherapy.
When the nurses of the cancer center rounded the corner, pomp and circumstances playing on the iPhone, with a “graduation certificate” and gifts, it was extra special.
After a year of chemo, radiation, and surgery, she is done.
While there is further treatment with medication and while the future cannot be guaranteed, her chemo is finished and her prognosis is good.
She had some tough times this past year, but the love of her family, friends, and caregivers, and her own inner strength and faith, carried her through.
Ashley, her primary infusion nurse, was supposed to have Thursday off.
She changed her schedule so that she could be there for the last day.
That kind of care, that blend of skill and compassion, that ability to assess and react to both complex, ever changing medical conditions, and the ability to treat the patient’s emotional needs with empathy, are what makes me proud to be a nurse.
It is also what makes me proud to serve as an officer of AFT Connecticut and VP to my friend and work partner. Our members, in healthcare, education, and public service, practice this blend of skill and compassion every day.
My work partner understands this and leads by it.
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