“What is it like to work in Oncology?” I am often asked this question when speaking at community workshops. My answer can be different each time – depending on the day. Not being involved in the clinical aspect of our cancer center, I am able to observe the atmosphere as I come and go. Here’s a non-clinical snapshot of what occurs on a daily basis at Centegra Sage Cancer Center.
There are women who, having lost their hair as a side effect of chemotherapy, sit near the fireplace knitting hats or scarves or booties (foot-warmers) for other patients … their fellow chemotherapy pals … newfound friends they never expected to meet.
There was a patient who temporarily lost her sense of taste for anything except root beer barrels due to a metallic taste in her mouth. One day she went to Sullivan’s in McHenry and bought every root beer barrel they had … and then personally delivered boxes of root beer barrels so that other patients who might have the same experience would be able to enjoy some.
There are patients undergoing radiation therapy who like to bake — but need a change of diet during treatment. They bake for the staff — imagine a staff lunchroom filled with cherry pie, banana bread, chocolate chip zucchini bread, or cookies of all shapes and sizes.
There are patients who read poems to us, who donate articles for other patients, or books and music that may be relaxing, soothing, inspirational or upbeat — to serve as a diversion during treatment.
Last year a Girl Scout/Brownie troop delivered beautiful blankets to keep patients warm … and had a lot of questions to ask about our center. (We hope to see these girls return as young women working with us some day!)
Imagine someone finishing treatment and singing to our front desk staff — Sue and Peggy. He created a song to the tune of Peggy Sue … and he and his friend surprised everyone at the front desk by an impromptu rendition of “Peggy and Sue … Peggy and Sue … We love you … Our Peggy and Sue” … and had everyone laughing and crying at the same time.
One Halloween a former patient dressed as a pirate walked in with a live parrot on her shoulder and greeted another person who was wearing a tall, striped “Cat-In-The-Hat- Where’s-Waldo” hat. They conversed near the front door and brought a lot of smiles to other patients and staff. (We did have to diplomatically request the bird be taken outside and taken home — infection control policies!)
We’ve had farmers who have had to take a temporary break from large scale farming to bring us fresh vegetables — tomatoes, corn, green beans, green peppers, onions and potatoes … so their crops would not go to waste ... during a period when perhaps they did not have the energy to run a farmers’ market but wanted to share their heart’s work with us.
On warm, sunny days, I may look out to see one of our oncologists sitting with a family in our healing garden. In springtime, I may see our resident mallard family in the pond. One year, the mallards decided to nest out front — and one evening the baby ducklings waddled across a manhole and fell in — they could not get out as they had not yet learned to fly — the mother duck was “quacking” as loudly as possible, calling for help, so our nurse practitioner’s role that evening was to rescue the ducks with a butterfly net!
Then there are our volunteers who greet every patient with a warm welcome and serve tea, coffee, water and help in and out of cars, transport, assemble files, work at screenings and donate time and energy. Staff gathers at the water cooler to talk to the volunteer who is “on” that day. Their wisdom, experience, and insight offer a fresh perspective to staff.
I am constantly appreciative of patients smiling as they greet us — though they are here for treatment — and am reminded every day to be grateful for sunrises, sunsets, people in our lives … those who we work with … live with … friends who are here through most of our lives … or a brief period in our lives.
I am amazed at the team of people working here — a diverse staff from many different cultures, training, and backgrounds. We learn from each other …new perspectives …new perceptions … new ideas. Whatever your beliefs — the communication that occurs is soul-to-soul, heart-to-heart — with an ebb and flow of energy that permeates our center. This is a field that has endless opportunities for growth — and it comes not just from CEUs and journal articles … those are the professional growth. Just as important is the personal growth that occurs from shared experiences with our patients and shared experiences among staff.
This is what it is like to work in Oncology at Centegra Health System!