Tag Archives: caregiving

How did some nurses get to be where they are today?

Ever wonder how the Iowa Cancer Specialists nurses got to be where they are today? We sat down with three of our nurses and asked them why they wanted to be a nurse.

We spoke with Molly Rima, Amber Claussen and our nurse practitioner Katie Browne about what made them want to become nurses.

Molly Rima

Why did you want to become a nurse?

When I was a little girl my grandmother, she took care of me, I didn’t go to preschool or anything and went to her house before Kindergarten.

She was a nurse and was in pediatrics and cardiology and she taught me all the bones in the body before I went to school so that is where it all started and I never wavered. I always wanted to be a nurse since I was four or five years old.

So what was it about your grandmother that made you want to be a nurse?

Everyone always talked about how good she was at her job and how compassionate she was about it and how much she loved her patients. I kind of see that in myself with her, I feel like I’m a very compassionate person and care about people a lot and I think that is a trait you really have to have as a nurse.

Where there any differences in your expectations when you became a nurse?

When you get into nursing school you kind of doubt yourself and wonder if you’re cut out for this. I was signed up to go to the University of Iowa and found out they didn’t do their internships until a year into their program. I was kind of a homebody and I looked into Scott (Community College) and they offered clinicals within the first eight weeks. At that point I was thinking ‘I think I want to be a nurse but I’ve never been in that setting before’ so for me there was no better way than being hands on to know if I really want this.

My first rotation was in a nursing home and I wasn’t sure if I wanted it but as I continued on I realized it was a good fit.

What do you know now that you would tell yourself then?

It’s a learning process, every day you’re learning something new, so if you’re not open to that you’re not in the right profession. I’ve been in this job for 13 years and I learn something new every single day I’m here — drugs are changing, treatment is changing, diseases are becoming more chronic versus acute and people are living longer. You have to know a lot and if you’re not willing to do that it is not the profession for you.

 

Amber Claussen

Why did you become a nurse?

I wanted to become a nurse since I was in 2nd grade.

What happened in 2nd grade?

I had an aunt that was a nurse and she kind of inspired me to be a nurse.

What was it about her that you looked up to?

All my aunts and uncles are close to us so I saw just saw what she was doing and liked it.

Why have you continued to want to be a nurse?

Because I love taking care of my patients. It gives you a sense of well being, they make you feel good for things you do for them and you try and help them. Especially with our cancer patients you try and help them try and have the best experience in a bad situation.

What would Amber now tell Amber in 2nd grade that wanted to become a nurse?

Good job, you picked the right thing. I wouldn’t change being a nurse ever, especially an oncology nurse. It makes me teary-eyed thinking about it.

 

Katie Browne

Why did you want to become a nurse?

I actually wanted to be an OB nurse, I had my son early in life. I had a seizure and I was in ICU for like a week and I almost died. The nurses were so nice to me and I didn’t want to be a nurse before that.

When I heard people say they wanted to be a nurse I would think ‘why would you ever want to do that?’ Because I thought all they did was hand doctors scissors. All through high school that was my impression and thought it was the stupidest thing.

But (the nurses there) really helped me a lot because I couldn’t take care of my baby so I felt horrible but the nurses there were really comforting. So I went to school and wanted to be an OB nurse with the goal of being a midwife and I started nursing school. I started as a nursing assistant and they said you can work on cardiology or oncology. At that point I really didn’t even know but oncology sounded more interesting than cardiology and then I started on the oncology unit when I was 19 and I just stayed in oncology ever since.

You can really make a big impact in people’s lives so that is what I like. I wouldn’t change anything (about becoming a nurse practitioner.)

So it was that experience in the hospital and seeing the nurses?

Yes, they were comforting me. I felt like a failure because I couldn’t take care of my baby and they were just letting me know it was okay. They just gave me hope that I would be able to and they just made me feel better about the whole thing. My family was very supportive too but having them there to let me know things were going to be okay and that I didn’t do anything wrong. It was pretty profound.

So it changed you?

Yes, it definitely did.

Anything else?

That’s really what did it, I still love pregnant people and stuff like that too but I never wanted to leave oncology either. You develop deep connections with people and they teach you a lot. You just build really close relationships and it changes your whole perspective on how you view your own life and what is important.

 

Cancer News Roundup

Welcome to the June cancer news roundup, we’ve got everything from new studies to profiles of some pretty awesome people. So grab your readers if you need ‘em and let’s get going.

A special visit

Luke Eck, a two-year-old with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney, has been undergoing chemotherapy for awhile now and during treatment one of his favorite pastimes is watching the firetrucks pass by.

So some of the staff at the office noticed his obsession with the trucks and reached out to the local fire department. From there they were able to surprise him and let him see a fire truck up close and personal.

Fighting until the end

An Iowa teen’s story is picking up national attention after she fought and completed her goal of graduating high school after her diagnosis.  Allison Cress graduated from Dubuque Hempstead High School on June 3 and passed away on June 5.

According to her obituary, “Allison brought a smile to your face and always kept a positive attitude during her fight with cancer. She was able to have a “Make A Wish” trip to Paris and London.”

Pup with a list

A cancer diagnosis can cause some to take a hard look at their life and break out a bucket list, and while this guy wasn’t the one writing the list he was the one taking part in some pretty cool stuff.

This golden pooch named Mr. Molson has been checking things off including being a police officer for a day and even getting married.

Have you or a family member with a cancer diagnosis done anything bucket list worthy recently? Let us know in the comments.

Three-time survivor

While at a camp for children with cancer and their siblings Joey Renick met someone who eventually would become his wife. This story from People magazine highlights the story of Joey and Caylee and how after three battles with cancer they finally tied the knot.

“I knew he was the one, because being in the hospital with him for so long and seeing him sick, I thought to myself, ‘If I can do this for him and we’re only dating, I can do this forever,’ ” says Caylee. “He inspires me so much, despite everything he’s been through he looks at the bright side of life and his will to live and survive and do more with his life is so strong.”

Check out the full story to see the inspirational couple.

Summer is here!

Now with the heat index climbing about 100 degrees and the sun shining brightly we’ll leave you with some tips from the American Cancer Society on skin cancer prevention and early detection.

Some simple tips from the ACS include using the phrase “slip slop slap and wrap” meaning four quick things.

  • Slip on a shirt.
  • Slop on sunscreen.
  • Slap on a hat.
  • Wrap on sunglasses to protect the eyes and skin around them.

 

Support for self confidence

Courtesy: St. Baldrick’s Foundation

One dad is taking things to the next level to make his kid feel special.

Josh Marshall’s son Gabriel had to go through a surgical procedure to deal with cancer in his brain. The eight year old was left with a bare head and a huge scar, one that was weighing down on the child.

There is no doubt a huge scar can cause confidence issues for an eight-year-old kid, but his dad took one huge step to help his son regain his self-confidence.

The caption he wrote on the photo entry reads, “Me and my son at this year’s St. Baldrick’s event in Wichita, Kansas. Got my son’s scar tattooed to help his self confidence.”

The way he did it was spend some time under the needle, getting a tattoo of his son’s scar in the same place on his head.

According to a local news station John Marshall told his son that “if people want to stare at you, then they can stare at both of us.”

The tattoo shows some of the lengths parents are willing to go to make their kids feel comfortable.

While Gabriel continues to go through treatment he’ll know his dad will always have his back.

The photo took first place in a recent photo contest from the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

The second and third place photos were just as heartwarming, click the link above to check them out.

Do you know anyone that has gone above and beyond for a family member or friend who had cancer? Let us know their story in the comments below!

Five involuntary thoughts that cross a caregiver’s mind

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When cancer strikes, it affects more than just the patient. Those surrounding him or her have their own set of obstacles to overcome, and sometimes the highest hurdles come from a caregiver’s own head. Here is a compilation of five thoughts a caregiver may have and how to handle them.

 

We can’t afford this.

Money problems can cause mountains of stress for anyone fighting a battle against illness. As the bills pile up, it can be difficult to keep your head above water. At times, you may even find yourself questioning whether it’s worth it to write another check for treatments that may or may not be working—that is, before you rapidly shake the stray thought from your head.

If they don’t get better, it’s my fault.

When you invest all of your time, energy and resources into your loved one’s care, it’s easy to acquire a god complex. You may begin to believe that every change in their health is a direct reflection of your efforts.

You may celebrate yourself when their condition improves or demoralize yourself when it worsens, burdening yourself with all the credit—and consequently, all the fault—at each step. This inevitably leads to a black hole of way too much pressure that you could do without.

Nobody cares about me anymore.

When you’re the caregiver for someone with cancer or other illness, fewer people are likely to ask “How are you?” in favor of “How are they?” Understandably, the person you are caring for becomes the hub of conversations and interactions.

It’s not that you don’t appreciate everyone’s concern, but there may be times you’d like to scream, “Hey! I’m here, too. I struggle, too. I matter, too!”

I don’t want to be the strong one all the time.

Caregiving is 24/7 work, and it isn’t always easy. You’re exhausted, frustrated and scared, but you don’t get days off at this job.

Many times throughout your loved one’s battle, you may feel this close to throwing in the towel—at least for a few hours—and breaking down. You’ll want to bury your face in a pillow or cry on someone’s shoulder and have someone tell you everything’s okay. It isn’t fair that your needs always have to come second to those of your loved one, and you can do nothing but suck it up. After all, they have cancer.

I shouldn’t be thinking these things.

As the caregiver, you are convinced that thinking these things makes you a terrible person. How could you possibly complain about anything when your loved one is battling something much more serious?  Over time, the guilt builds up and exacerbates your existing anxieties, leading to a world of hurt.

 

 

 

Listen up.

You are normal. These are rational, common thoughts that naturally crop up under the stress of caring for someone with a long-term illness. Here are a few tips to help you come to terms with these thoughts:

Remember that money is one of the top sources of stress even on a good day—worrying over finances is a pragmatic and expected part of fighting illness. There are a variety of counseling and advising services available to you to aid in your personal battle against money-related stress.

Keep in mind that while the care you provide your loved one can influence their illness trajectory, you are not in control of their cancer. A wide variety of factors affect their condition, and your care is only one of those factors. Give up the reins on this one. You’ll feel better for it.

It is highly important to take care of yourself during this time. Make it a priority to find a support group and/or a trusted confidant with whom you can express your feelings. Despite what it may feel like, you are not alone in thinking these things. Talking it out in a nonjudgmental exchange may be exactly what you need to get back on the horse and resume feeling like the superhero you are.

Do things for yourself. You are still your own person even as you’re caring for someone else. As much as possible, continue doing the things you love. Get enough rest, eat well and spend quality time with other people in your life.

Ask, ask, ask for help! It is neither weak nor shameful to reach out to those around you. When people ask you, “How are they?” give them an update—and then tell them how they can be of service! Not only will this relieve some of the weight from your shoulders, it gives others an opportunity to contribute to the wellbeing of someone they care about in a more tangible way than putting you through the Spanish Inquisition every time you run into each other.

Being honest with yourself about these feelings does not mean you care for your loved one any less—it means you have found the strength to take care of yourself while still giving your time, energy and love to him or her.

 

Note: If you are not a caregiver but know someone helping a loved one battle cancer or other long-term illness, remember that caregivers are people, too.