Cheryl Gans
August 2015
Cheryl
Gans
,
RN, OCN
Oncology
Yale New Haven Hospital
New Haven
,
CT
United States
Cheryl Gans, always thinks of her patients first. She was connected to not only me as a patient but my family as well. She sat and listened to my heartache. Held my hand, cried with me, called to check up on me, and followed up after discharge to see how I was recovering. I think that is not only doing her "job" but definitely going above and beyond for me. I felt as I was her patient and a person, not a number and problem. I was a heavy case with TTP as my diagnosis. I received blood/plasma transfusions, blood work, help walking at times, and much more. She never seems to be rushed, aggravated, or complained of staff issues. She understood my fear of needles after awhile and found help if she was having trouble finding a place to "poke" me.
...
Cheryl was there for all my steps of this disease. She stood out among all the nurses I had while "touring" Smilow hospital. She was not only my nurse but my friend. I felt safe under her care. She was able to do this by listening to the patient and advocating for me. At one time there were 40 doctors walking down the hall to come into my room, I was not having a good day, and did not like being the "guinea pig" for the new or never seen TTP doctor. She stood outside my room and only allowed four to come in, while the others impatiently waiting outside my room. I like to consider myself a strong person, but when I was falling apart I knew that Cheryl would be there to help pick up the pieces and advocate for me as well.
...
There are so many things that were done from this nurse. I think for my mental state... Which I tried so hard to hold together while being told this was a life long devastating disease. Cheryl was the first to share that my children, I have three, could do a sleepover. I stayed a total of 5 weeks in the hospital. Cots were gotten, extra things for the room to help accommodate, and organizing snacks that were brought in was a huge.. sorry tearing up over here.. I had two sleep overs with my children. Probably the best two nights I stayed at the hospital. Not only for me but my entire family. Care went on as usual and the kids asked a lot of questions that were answered age appropriately by all. My extended family visited every night. I always have people around me and therefore did not want that to change. Cheryl made my family feel at home and would quietly ask if I was ok and how I was doing. It was nice to be asked and it was nice to have a nurse respect my family.
...
I had Cheryl as my nurse so much that her coming in and taking care of me, was like having another friend come say hello. She was respectful, caring, compassionate. When I was discharged she understood my fear. We talked about it for the days coming before. It was nice to have her check in after discharge just to see how I was doing. If I was out places and she happened to be there we tried to meet to say hi. I have a walk every year to help raise awareness and funds for TTP. My very first walk, my nurse Cheryl helped push me in the wheelchair. I could not have felt happier. Being at the beach with friends, family, and my nurse: all supporting me in my recovery. I cant tell you how much this nurse has meant to me. I always said a positive attitude helps in healing. I tried to keep that for myself, but if I was having trouble Cheryl shined through.
...
Cheryl was there for all my steps of this disease. She stood out among all the nurses I had while "touring" Smilow hospital. She was not only my nurse but my friend. I felt safe under her care. She was able to do this by listening to the patient and advocating for me. At one time there were 40 doctors walking down the hall to come into my room, I was not having a good day, and did not like being the "guinea pig" for the new or never seen TTP doctor. She stood outside my room and only allowed four to come in, while the others impatiently waiting outside my room. I like to consider myself a strong person, but when I was falling apart I knew that Cheryl would be there to help pick up the pieces and advocate for me as well.
...
There are so many things that were done from this nurse. I think for my mental state... Which I tried so hard to hold together while being told this was a life long devastating disease. Cheryl was the first to share that my children, I have three, could do a sleepover. I stayed a total of 5 weeks in the hospital. Cots were gotten, extra things for the room to help accommodate, and organizing snacks that were brought in was a huge.. sorry tearing up over here.. I had two sleep overs with my children. Probably the best two nights I stayed at the hospital. Not only for me but my entire family. Care went on as usual and the kids asked a lot of questions that were answered age appropriately by all. My extended family visited every night. I always have people around me and therefore did not want that to change. Cheryl made my family feel at home and would quietly ask if I was ok and how I was doing. It was nice to be asked and it was nice to have a nurse respect my family.
...
I had Cheryl as my nurse so much that her coming in and taking care of me, was like having another friend come say hello. She was respectful, caring, compassionate. When I was discharged she understood my fear. We talked about it for the days coming before. It was nice to have her check in after discharge just to see how I was doing. If I was out places and she happened to be there we tried to meet to say hi. I have a walk every year to help raise awareness and funds for TTP. My very first walk, my nurse Cheryl helped push me in the wheelchair. I could not have felt happier. Being at the beach with friends, family, and my nurse: all supporting me in my recovery. I cant tell you how much this nurse has meant to me. I always said a positive attitude helps in healing. I tried to keep that for myself, but if I was having trouble Cheryl shined through.