Here at PCI, we are often moved by the stories of our patients.   It is always wonderful to see a person’s perspective on life change right before your eyes.  However, it is not as often that we hear how our interactions, as doctors, nurses, and caregivers, have helped with this transition.     Helena Stillman is a patient at PCI.  She recently received treatment in Gloucester and was        compelled to nominate her primary nurse, Elizabeth Carter for Cure Magazine’s Extraordinary Healer Award for Oncology Nursing.  This is her essay nominating Elizabeth:

 

             How do you describe a stranger that comes into your life and ends up becoming a mentor, a supporter, a shoulder to cry on, someone to listen to your inner thoughts and be there for you, for whatever reason.  On or about November 10th 2005, I was diagnosed with stage 4 Ovarian Cancer.  Devastated and frightened, I thought my life was ending.  What was to come, I would have never imagined or expected.  I was sent to    Peninsula Cancer Institute in Gloucester, VA.  It was there (not knowing anything) and being very ignorant on the subject of cancer, I met my Oncology nurse, Elizabeth Carter.  The center had scheduled me for an         appointment with  an Educator Cancer Advisor, Carol Hearn and my nurse Elizabeth.  My husband Walt and I were both very emotional and at our lowest of lows in terms of disposition.  I have never been in a meeting of any sort where I felt so welcomed and listened to with a complete sense of caring.  I cried the entire time we were in there and continued to do this for many months.  In this education class, Elizabeth was as one with me.  Her smiling face, soft-spoken voice and spirit were a great comfort to my husband and I.  Since I was          diagnosed with stage 4, a Hysterectomy was out of the question at the time.  The next week I started my 1st out of 12 chemo treatments.  I arrived at the Cancer Center at 9:00am and Elizabeth was there to greet me in the lobby.  She took me back into the treatment room and started a step by step description on what she was going to administer, what it did, and what it was for.  Elizabeth encouraged me everyday that I saw her.  Each time being compassionate, hopeful, and understanding.  She even went as far as enrolling me in a Yoga class and recommending Massage Therapy, which the center offered as a support program.  As time went on, my view of myself changed significantly and noticeably.  The mind is a powerful thing!  I know without a doubt, that faith, and a person like Elizabeth, who continuously gives you confidence, anything is possible.  Each month that passed my tumor count (CA 125) declined.  Each time Elizabeth said, “How wonderful you’re   doing, everything is going great”.  What breathtaking words to hear.  In June, 2006, I was sent to get a PET scan.  When the results came back my Oncology doctor, Dr. Yousef, and Elizabeth were there to tell me the great news.  I would finally get a Hysterectomy;  the chemo along with the optimistic outlook had worked.  During my time after the operation, with more treatments, Elizabeth (the loving person that she is) still is my shoulder to cry on.  Elizabeth is my information center, the person that calls me to ask how I am, the person that I rely on for any questions or just to listen to me.  As of January 2007, I am 100% cancer free!  Thanks to God and all the people that dedicate there lives to helping people in need.  Elizabeth is one of these persons.  From the inner soul of my heart, which words can never describe, Thank you, Elizabeth. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We would like to congratulate Elizabeth for her nomination.  In addition, we would like to thank her, and those like her, who go the extra mile to make the difference for the patients here at PCI.