- Steyfanie H.
- Jul 25, 2019
Good to finally express myself regarding my treatment plan at the Cancer Center. Family..... I have been holding in my feelings regarding a particular Nurse who may be a pleasant individual personally; yet professionally her actions have caused me some pain. Literally! Her Nursing technique is always executed in a fast, rushed paced and she doesn’t accept help. Uh hello.... sometimes you need to accept help; especially when it involves someones safety!
Last month at treatment she rushed trying to access my port and refused help. Now normally one person could access a port, but in my case my port moves a bit and requires 2 people to access me. Can I tell you, when she stuck the needle in my port (which is placed under my skin above the breast) it hurt like hell. I screamed, and between you and I, because we’re family, I had thoughts go through my mind and it didn’t include the words please and thank you! Needless to say I couldn’t use my port that day.
Today..... I came into treatment anxious and contemplating how I should approach this, the nurse, my livelihood. Family I spoke up! I spoke my truth and for once it wasn’t from the “I understand” point of view. For the first time I didn’t sacrifice my feelings and my health to spare someone else’s ego. Today I ADVOCATED as Steyfanie, the patient, and not Steyfanie, the Nursing Staff.
My question to you:
Think about a period in your life, past or present, where the lines may have been blurred and because you were conflicted by you the person versus you the professional, you kept quiet; and by keeping quiet you sacrificed your safety or health for someone else’s EGO.
Advocacy doesn’t start on the front lines; yet it begins with the blurred lines. Let’s continue to adjust and focus our lens so the picture is clear for everyone.
My Misery is My Masterpiece~ Steyfanie Hudgens