When I go in for treatments (once a week these days, soon to be once a month), I go to what is called "The Infusion Center." It's a big room with medical recliners around the perimeter, each with a small TV that probably doesn't work, an uncomfortable chair for your spouse or friend, an apparatus for hanging IVs, and 3 different trash cans. One corner of the room is well stocked with snacks, as well as a fridge, coffeemaker and blanket warmer. About 6 nurses are always hustling around helping people.
The nurses—along with the snacks—are the best part of the infusion center. They are just so nice! When you walk in, Wendy and Alice will wave or say "Hi." Dotty remembers who you are, what you're suffering from, what snacks you like, which side of the room you prefer, which side your port is on, and what kinds of medications you have had bad reactions to in the past. As Eliza sticks in your IV, she jokes around with you and asks about your family. When your husband shows up with his head shaved, Mike laughs about how he almost kicked out that shady character because nobody recognized him. Sharon runs for basins when you want/need them, apologizes when the proteins in your vital port make it so you're in that chair for 4 hours, and scrounges up a pillow when something she gave you makes you incredibly tired. They are all just great.
The nurses—along with the snacks—are the best part of the infusion center. They are just so nice! When you walk in, Wendy and Alice will wave or say "Hi." Dotty remembers who you are, what you're suffering from, what snacks you like, which side of the room you prefer, which side your port is on, and what kinds of medications you have had bad reactions to in the past. As Eliza sticks in your IV, she jokes around with you and asks about your family. When your husband shows up with his head shaved, Mike laughs about how he almost kicked out that shady character because nobody recognized him. Sharon runs for basins when you want/need them, apologizes when the proteins in your vital port make it so you're in that chair for 4 hours, and scrounges up a pillow when something she gave you makes you incredibly tired. They are all just great.
As I close in on my final chemo treatment, I've been wanting to bring something to these wonderful nurses, but I don't really know what. Baked goods? A plant? Any ideas? What says "Thanks for taking care of me when I was at my lowest"?
7 comments:
Aww. Bonnie! Always thinking of others. Those are some great ideas. Sorry I can't offer more. You are amazing! (and Adam!)
This is such a sweet post. Every once in a while I think I would like to be a nurse ... angels in disguise! I like the idea of a plant as a gift, something that will (hopefully) last a while and remind them of you.
I am sure they will appreciate anything--a note with all of the examples you wrote here would be appreciated. If you choose to do food you can google ways to say thank you with that food and will get a bunch of crazy rhymes using that food. It is very thoughtful of you to want to say thank you. Glad it will be your last chemo session!
My mind is blown by how selfless you are being right now. And congrats on your last chemo session - you are amazing. If you're taking votes, a nice note + flowers is my usual, "There's no way I could adequately thank you for what you've done for me."
I think you may have already been to your last chemo now. But I just wanted to add my thoughts. A note of appreciation. You write such beautiful notes Bonnie. Your gift with words expresses so much and those words will lift the nurses and help them feel they are making a difference. I don't think there is any better feeling than that. I'm glad you have had such beautiful people helping you!
This blogpost is such a beautiful tribute to the loving work that the nurses perform.
If you did want to give them something other than your words (which are more than sufficient, I assure you) I'd suggest a succulent.
Those things are hard to kill - I think you and the nurses would appreciate that.
Ha there better be one perk to chemo treatments!!! I would do an atypical gift like a mural of you for the wall. Or a poem. You know, something different... Jk :)
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