What I Learned From My Cancer Nurse Maria

Maria was a role model for me and many others on the cancer floor. She was an angel in my time in the hospital after my surgery. Maria’s kindness and service to others was remarkable. I will always remember her intellect and leadership during her care for me. Maria had great hope and faith in me surviving. I remember her saying in her thick Italian accent, “You are stronger than you think, “Capish?”

Maria would say, “Chi ha tempo non aspetti tempo.” In Italian it means stop delaying. Do it today, not tomorrow. She was right. I needed to move on and think about my life. In those few days in the hospital, Maria opened my eyes. All caregivers with cancer patients are critical. In my case they made someone change their whole attitude and really their whole life.

I am thankful that I had Maria as a nurse. I remember someone in the operating room as I lay there, groggy in a pre-surgery waiting room telling me all will be cheerful when noon wakes anew. I thought what does that saying mean? After a few days after my surgery, I was asking my parish priest about it.

The Father said, “Oh it’s from the Bible anew signifies a profound transformation. Much like a new beginning. The morning is unaware of the afternoon.”

When Father was talking to me in my hospital room Maria walked in to take my temperature. She said that Father was right, I needed to think anew. To go about in a different way. I had a lot to think about as I was facing testicular cancer and a testicular removal. My oncology nurse, Maria, treated me like I was her son.

I remember Maria vividly entering my room the day after surgery. Her jet-black hair and ivory skin reminded me of my Italian grandmother. Being part Italian, I love all things Italian. I thought to myself that my nurse named Maria must be a good sign. She saw the father visit me. She put special trust in our short-lived relationship.

Maria knew I was Catholic, and she would pray with me. Hail Mary, full of grace-the Lord is with thee. How touching her words were when she spoke to me.

Over the course of my cancer journey I would go to the hospital for tests and Maria would make it a point of showering me with good thoughts and small jokes. Maria brought me from dreading long tiring test days to feeling good about the upcoming setting sun.

Maria always showed compassion in my hospital stay and the subsequent years of testing. She was like an old friend coming out to meet a great house guest. Maria taught me that even a chance encounter can impact someone’s life.

I was a private person after my cancer. Maria knew it was about protecting the parts of myself that were sacred. She understood I had dreams, fears and the world unknown around me. Maria made me feel like I had a purpose in life and that meant something. I could focus on the past, but she showed my present was crucial to growing and surviving. Cancer nurses influence your memories and create unforgettable experiences

God bless all the nurses in our lives.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.