(This is Suzy.)
I want to give a big hug to all the nurses in the world.
Steve’s neck has been painfully raw from the radiation quite for a while now. Every doctor he saw would say, “That looks painful”, they’d tell him to put Aquaphor and lidocaine on it, then they’d move on to their next question. A nurse practitioner gave Steve some samples of Domeboro soaks and Xeroform gauze, but didn’t give specific directions on how to use them. We got home and couldn’t figure out how to get the gauze to stay on his neck. They all said the same thing – his skin was going to be red, raw, and painful, and nothing but time would make it all the way better.
Thursday, he saw a nurse that he doesn’t usually see. Instead of the usual “That looks painful”, she looked at his neck and said “What are you doing for that?” Then she proceeded to give Steve step-by-step instructions, writing it down for us and making sure I could hear her on the phone. She told him to come back to see her after his treatment that day, so she could put the dressing on and we could see how it’s supposed to look. She walked him through what she was doing, again narrating for me on the phone, taking all the time we needed to make sure we understood.
Like everyone else, she said it’ll still be painful. She said nothing but time would make it all the way better. But she added that this would really help. She said that by Monday, Steve’s skin would look like a baby’s butt.
Monday’s here, and yes, it’s starting to look like a baby’s butt.
Thank you, nurses everywhere, for the way you care about your patients.
Cancer in the time of corona 
Hear, hear! Caring nurses are awesome. Had a similar experience when Colin was in the ICU.
Having worked with Steve, I would normally have a field day with that ‘starting to look like a baby’s butt’ comment. But, given Steve’s condition it might hurt to smile so I will let it go. Hang in there, sounds like the finish line is so close!
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Damon, I can still take it….and dish it out
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Ok here goes, Steve’s starting to look like a baby’s butt……
– Oh good, now he is not just acting like one.
– I would hate to see the face on THAT baby.
– That would explain the smell.
– That must be one ugly baby.
– Oh yes, that would be a definite improvement.
– Someone better change that baby’s diaper.
– Hey, hey, don’t insult a baby like that.
Ba, Da, Bump, Bump!
Have a Merry Christmas!
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I said I could take it but ouch!
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Hi Steve! Almost there!!! Courage and light! Today I say bye bye to the first half of the treatment 17/35! My neck too is starting to get red! All the best!
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So happy for you. It’s a good feeling when you the half mark.
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Carla:. It January 4th and I just realized that you must be nearing the end of your treatments. Let me know how you are doing and feeling.
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Hi Steve, today was the 24th, another 11 to go. There were so many holidays that by the time I finish (20/1), it will be almost 2 months since I started. I am doing better than I expected and like you, this gives me a strange feeling that maybe the treatment is not working as it should. Tomorrow I have an appointment with the radio doctor but here they don’t like to say much about how it is going… I can’t wait to be done, even if it is shit afterwards 🙂 wishing you a quick recover. It is so good to read your posts, you’re just ahead of me! Now, time to eat, what a lack of enthusiasm that gives:) enjoy the day!
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Carla: Glad fo see you are doing well, with just a couple of weeks left. It’s funny to think of someone so often that you have never met! Keep in touch.
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Wonderful! A truly outstanding CAREgiver. Positive thoughts and hugs!
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Nice reminder about those caring nurses, who live their passion. I’m betting Steve’s neck might look more like an baby elephant’s butt by next week? I can’t figure out how to post a pic.
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I have a lot of friends who are nurses–some Air Force nurses, some civilian (homebrewing!) nurses. The nurses I know display the best human qualities–selflessness, service to others, empathy. You’re in great hands.
Your courage and tenacity has brought you this far–you’re so close to the finish!
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