Tag Archive for Nursing

The Power of Listening to Cancer Patients

By Melissa Cochran, MS, NP

For my cancer patients, a stem cell transplant is a life-changing event. They cannot work outside the home for a full year; visits to Dana-Farber are about the only excursions allowed. No more trips to the grocery store or dinners at a favorite restaurant.

In our clinic, we have a solid team in place – physicians, nurses, social workers, and nurse practitioners like myself – working together to support and anticipate each cancer patient’s needs along the way. As you can imagine, significant physical and emotional issues can arise for our patients. Read more

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Full Circle: The Journey from Patient to Caregiver

by Sara Dickison Taylor

You wouldn’t be able to tell just by meeting them, but high-school student Molly Callahan and Dana-Farber/Children’s Hospital Cancer Center (DF/CHCC) nurse Lindsay Roache, RN, have a few things in common: They’ve survived cancer, and they’re committed to helping others. Read more

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If You Build It, They Will Come: Cancer Care in Rwanda

by Barbara Virchick

On July 18, 2012, a Cancer Center of Excellence opened in Butaro, Rwanda, as a collaboration between Partners In Health and Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center. I was fortunate to have been there during this exciting time, working as part of a three-month fellowship to help train the nursing staff to care for Rwandan cancer patients. 

I don’t think any of us were prepared for the explosion of patients who would arrive during the first month we were open. Read more

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From Patient to Caregiver: Alyssa Ywuc’s Story

Alyssa Ywuc was a 23-year-old nursing student when she was diagnosed with leukemia. After seeing first-hand the work of oncology nurses as a patient, she decided to specialize in oncology nursing. We talked with Alyssa about both sides of the cancer experience – her time as a patient and her future career as a caregiver.

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