The Oncology Nurse Who Helps Patients With Cancer Through Hurdles During Treatment

A patient with breast cancer details how her oncology nurse has helped her when experiencing side effects to the chemotherapy she’s receiving.

Trish Traylor, RN, OCN, is an excellent oncology nurse. She shows caring and compassion to all her patients. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was scared and had no idea what was ahead of me. On my first day of chemotherapy, she was my nurse. Trish got me seated comfortably and took the time to explain to me all about the process and the drugs, and constantly making sure I was comfortable. This all occurred while still assisting her other patients, which see seems to do effortlessly. Her knowledge and expertise instantly made me feel like I was in the best hands and helped me to relax.

I have to say, I haven't been an easy patient for her, as I have been having a bad reaction to the drug while receiving my chemotherapy. But the first time it happened, she was on me with her crash cart in seconds and quickly administered what was needed to stop the reaction. Until the doctor was able to find a different drug for me, she would seat me where she can keep an eye on me while administering my chemotherapy at a slower rate to lessen the reaction and stopping it to administer more drugs to ease the reaction before starting it again. All of this is time-consuming but it never slows her down. I watch her she as runs around taking care of all her patients with the same care, compassion and expertise she shows to me, like each one of us is her only patient.

Although all the nurses and the rest of the staff at this Maryland Oncology and Hematology in Bethesda — including lab, front desk, scheduling, the doctor and nurse practitioner — are all fantastic, it is my pleasure to nominate Trish for the Extraordinary Healer® Award.

Editor’s Note: This is an essay submitted by Karen O’Sullivan for the 2021 Extraordinary Healer Award. Click here to read more about CURE®’s Extraordinary Healer® Award for Oncology Nursing event on April 30, 2021.

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