Sheila Sullivan
April 2022
Sheila
Sullivan
,
MSN, RN, OCN, CEN, CNL
TriHealth Cancer Institute Kenwood
Cincinnati
,
OH
United States

 

 

 

Sheila always makes me feel better, at ease, hopeful for a cancer-free tomorrow, and most importantly, she gives me the courage to keep fighting.
I started my journey with cancer seven years ago. During this time, I have been diagnosed with four different types of cancers, one of which has appeared 3 times, including the most recent recurrence. About cancer #3, I found my way to Good Sam Kenwood Infusion Center. I was nervous about starting treatment at a new location with new nurses, but I quickly met Sheila Sullivan. Sheila has been MY NURSE, my friend, my guide, and my sounding wall for the past 4 years. She makes my treatment and battle that much more beatable. Sheila is one of the big reasons I keep fighting...keep returning to the infusion center week-after-week. I have found myself many times laughing, crying, angry and everything in between, and Sheila has been there with a kind word, a hug or some solid medical wisdom that my Dr. Google couldn't even disagree with...and we haven't even begun to talk about the outstanding medical care I receive! From day one I knew Sheila was a Rockstar nurse who knew what she was doing and definitely knew how to work with people. We clicked. Halfway through one of my chemo cycles, I had a severe reaction, passed out, coded, and the paramedics were called. She was there, and she was there when I returned to treatment. She worked with my doctor to find alternatives that my body could take...and watched me like a hawk so we didn't have a repeat performance. Sheila knows to ask the right questions (even when my daughter doesn't send her post-it notes full of questions or symptoms) and she always makes me feel better, at ease, hopeful for a cancer-free tomorrow, and most importantly, she gives me the courage to keep fighting. Sheila has also made an impact on my family. Since COVID, my daughter has not been able to attend treatments. Yes, Sheila has been by my side, but she has also been a lifeline for my family who cannot be close during these important treatment times. My daughter said the other day, "it drives me crazy that I cannot be there with you..but knowing Sheila is there to take care of you and keep an eye out, makes me feel so much better. I am so grateful you have her there." I don't think I could ask for a better nurse, caregiver, and treatment guru than Sheila. She is a blessing and I really don't think I could have gone through all of this without her. She is an angel right here on earth!