Lily-onc set up

Personal Introduction

  • The speaker is a retired nurse with 45 years of experience and expresses pride in their nursing career.

  • They wish to give back to younger generations, particularly nursing students.

  • Starts sharing a personal story to help students understand the challenges of illness.

Cancer Diagnosis

  • The speaker was diagnosed with cancer, which they found difficult to believe at first since they felt fine.

  • They mention being tired but attribute it to their busy life caring for their husband, Harold, who has Alzheimer’s disease.

  • Describes the emotional turmoil of revealing their diagnosis to family, including their two grandchildren, Bo and Betsy.

  • A mix of humor and sorrow while dealing with the situation.

Incident Leading to Diagnosis

  • The speaker fell in their kitchen while distracted, leading to a hospital visit and discovering a broken femur.

  • Discusses the embarrassment and fear involved in the situation.

  • Following surgery for the leg, blood tests revealed high calcium levels and anemia, leading to further examinations.

Understanding Multiple Myeloma

  • A subsequent bone marrow biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of multiple myeloma.

  • The speaker was initially uncertain about what this diagnosis meant and began to educate themselves about it.

  • They refer to support from doctors: framing cancer as a "bump in the road" and providing reassurance about treatment options.

Treatment Details

  • Discusses the CRAB criteria used to diagnose multiple myeloma:

    • C: Calcium (high levels)

    • R: Renal dysfunction (not remembered well)

    • A: Anemia (low blood count)

    • B: Bone damage (causing fractures)

  • The speaker humorously relates to the term "CRAB" and explains the criteria to the students.

CAR T Cell Therapy

  • Treatment involved CAR T cell therapy, where the speaker underwent a process in which blood was drawn, white blood cells (T cells) separated, and genetically modified to fight cancer.

  • Describes the technology as fascinating and expresses hope for recovery, emphasizing the innovative approach taken in modern medicine.

Well-Being and Support

  • Discussion about tiredness and low blood sugar affecting the speaker’s well-being during the talk.

  • Plans to visit the cancer clinic soon for follow-up treatment and expresses concern about leaving their husband alone at home.

  • Engages with students, highlighting the importance of emotional support through personal connections.

Conclusion

  • The speaker's anecdote serves to illustrate the emotional and practical aspects of living with cancer and caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.

  • Emphasizes the importance of compassion and understanding in the nursing profession.