A Nightingale in shining armour.


Bons Secour Oncology Unit Staff Nurse Jakki Cosgrove
with Cancer Patient Aidan Murphy. 



We all know that saying, 'behind every cloud is a silver lining'. Well, wheather you can call my cloud that of my inoperative Gastro Cancer, or today's take on it (a cloud within a cloud) where my bloods today were too low for my regular infusion of Chemotherapy, which is now deferred to next (toxic) Tuesday, a BIG silver lining to me at present is my medical team in the Glasnevin suburban based Bons Secour Private Hospital. I have previously shared here on my blog, a selphie with my Oncologist Dr. Oscar Breathnach and Nursing Assisant Myra. 
So today, I decided it was time to formally introduce you to another of my brilliant Oncology team. 

I must admit, it did require some persuasion to get this person to come in front of the lens for me this morning. This (Dunshaughlin based) lady is a legend in my books. Wheather it was years ago, when we both volunteered on the committee of the 'Dunshaughlin Cancer Benefit Association' along with her husband Dessie and other like minded individuals or fast forward to today, where ironically she supervises each of my Chemotherapy infusions in the Bons Secour Hospital, I want you all to meet the beautiful person I affectionately call
 'Saint Jakki'. 

I might not have shown it last October, but when I got diagnosed with my inoperable Gastro Cancer, I was sent home and told to WAIT for the Irish Public Health System to kick in (I was at the time under a public hospital referral). I was back then, in my own words, bloody scared. At this time, this lady put me under her angelic wings and commenced back then what she is still doing to this very day, nursing her heart out for me. I can assure you, carrying my diagnosis can be a very lonely place indeed. You feel out on your own, you have the illness, not your friends or family. You feel lost, remember this is shocking news to get, never before envisioned, plenty of questions in the que, but no answers queuing up. 

But then, as I walk for the very first time thru the doors of the Day Oncology Unit in the Bons Secour Hospital, all of what I just mentioned, churning over and over in my demented mind, this shining light with an extremely genuine and caring smile comes over to me. Before I even think of what question to ask first, my perceived wonderings are already pre thought off and duly answered. Five minutes later, each of my newly appointed medical team are brought in to a private room and introduced to me, along with a very reassuring chronological timeline of medical events. 

All of this handled and indeed carfully choreographed by one person.
By my nurse, my friend, my councillor, my Saint. 

I respectfully present to you, Oncology Staff Nurse, Jakki Cosgrove. 


Thank You Jakki. 
(and I apologise already for any embarrassment). 

 

 
         (Click email address to say hello).




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rocking the boat and going Radio GaGa.

Image
It's approaching 5am here and I've been awake since 3am. I have to own up and admit the last 2 nights saw me just feeling like.. Crap!! I hate that word but right now it's the right one to use.  If you are on similar treatment to me this may well resonate with you. It's not a nauseous thing, more like a deep down feeling of being very low,  but also feeling tired at the same time. Going to bed and burying myself deep under the duvet, when done just felt so appropriate, if I'm let use that word.  Last night, with that 'crap' feeling visiting me again, circa 10pm I went to bed. As I climbed the stairs I could feel the onslaught of a wave of emotions all gathering up. They were coming in thick and fast and bed was the last thing these mental vibrations had on their mind. Then, wallop, they knocked me for six. These vibrations as I've just christened them found my voice and took over.  "I can't take this shit anymore. Why me? what did I do on you go
Read more

Getting to know the enemy.

Image
A wise and trusted friend once told me: (You know who you are). "Murf, always pick your fight on your terms, not on theirs". I am now a number of weeks into my diagnosis, a tumour located in my stomach (Gastro Cancer).   IT IS NOT in the pancreas as per some vicious rumours !!! Although it cannot be operated on (due to it having feeds to blood vessels), the plan is to shrink it with chemotherapy and then the next stage is to hibernate it. So that's my enemy. All my information about this new foe, I take directly from the professionals I have entrusted my care and recovery with. I have not and will not succumb to 'that urge' of asking 'Dr. Google' about it. It's immature, a total waste of time and may I add, grossly inappropriate and downright disrespectful to the qualified professionals that are looking after my health interests right now. Without a doubt, my enemy is a nasty piece of work, the only respect I have for it, is the respect to wi
Read more

Close Family and Genuine Friendships Rule Forever.

Image
Think back about the last time something of significance happened in your life, and you will probably remember where you were exactly at that moment of time. For example, I can recall exactly where I was when the late journalist Veronica Guerin was murdered. Same for the late Princess Diana when she was killed in that terrible crash in Paris.  Roll on to just a few weeks ago, a morning I will never forget where I was.  Sitting up in my hospital bed, 5 days after collapsing at home. The curtain is pulled half way around my bed and the Professor who had test results broke the news directly to me. I do appreciate how these medical minds can and indeed have to work. BUT, would it have been rocket science to have some foresight and have perhaps my wife and close family close pre this type of news delivery? Minutes after the news, in what can only be described as a modest show of empathy, my knee is squeezed thru the bedclothes and the professor leaves me on my own. I'm a big guy, 6ft 4,
Read more