I have been an Oncology nurse for 9 yrs. I work on an inpatient medical oncology unit. I have a great passion for what I do. I learned early on what I needed to do to provide great care & not burn out. Most of our patients are admitted for symtpom and/or disease management. We often see patients for a couple of years before they succumb to their cancer or one of the side effects related to treatment. We don't usually see the patients that get all or most of their treatment on an outpatient basis & get cured of their cancer.
I was diagnosed with rectal cancer last October. I have incredible support from work, family, friends, the docs, etc. Even with all that support, it's not the same as talking to another oncology nurse who has had cancer. It's very strange to be a patient & yet have the knowledge base I have. It has definately had its plusses & minuses. I know more about oncology than some of the nurses in my medical oncologist's office. In fact, I trained two of them as new grads several years ago.
Anyway, I would love to talk to other oncology nurses who have been diagnosed with cancer. What things caught you off guard? How did you choose an oncologist/surgeon/radiologist, etc? Did you attend a support group? Was it helpful? What would you have done differently? Did you tell the people you work with? Why or why not? Anything else you want to add, say, etc. I would also like to talk to anyone else who has had a nurse or physician coworker with cancer. How did it effect you?
Sorry this is a little long. I write the way I talk...to much
