Entry from Melissa

This silly poem is dedicated to all the wonderful nurses who have cared for Myla. THANK YOU!

Twas the morning of chemo, and all through the floor,
Not a patient was stirring, not even a door.
IV poles still stood by the bedrail with care,
In hopes that the nurse soon would be there.

The patients were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of going home danced in their heads.
And Myla in her cute socks, and I in my chair,
Had just settled our eyes in a tired glassy stare.

When out in the hall there arose such a clatter,
I looked at the door to see what was the matter.
Away to Myla's bed, as fast as I dare,
Tore off her diaper, and smeared on Sensi-Care.

The light from the hallway came in through the door
And I finished changing Myla so her bottom wasn't sore.
When, who to my curious eyes should come in,
But two nurses to signal "LET CHEMO BEGIN."

With little experience, I watched as they came,
They looked at their papers and bags for the name.
More rapid than eagles the process began,
It was obvious to me that they had a plan.

"Now Myla's her name, her number is this,
All three chemos today, not one will we miss.
Cytarabine first, Daunorubicin next,
Etoposide last, so dictates her text."

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So quickly the nurses checked all of her info,
Myla's upset, "oh she's wet -don't you know!"

The nurses confirmed Myla's name and her dose,
Then Myla smiled because the nurse had come close.
The nurse became silent and programmed the pump,
Myla's chemo not yet has made her a grump.

The nurse on her hands ChemoBloc blue-colored gloves,
With her bright yellow gown that everyone loves.
A bundle of bags and tubes in her hands,
Just as on paper Myla's protocol demands.

Her eyes-how they twinkled! Her smile so merry
As she hooked up one chemo, whose color was cherry.
To keep Myla from sick, the Zofran was given,
With the alcohol wipes she cleaned off her lumen.

To check blood return before chemo begins,
The nurse next to Myla holds the syringe,
She sees Myla's central line is not blocked,
"Patient-occluded" beeps if clamp is still locked.

The nurse, oh how pleasant, and confident be,
Taking such good care of Myla and me.
A wink of her eye and a twist of her head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

She spoke not a word, but went straight to her work,
Pushed the pump button, then turned with a jerk.
Making notes on her "brain," then weighing a diaper,
Myla's Gramma sat with her camera beside her.

The nurse walked to the door, gave us a smile,
And I knew at that moment she'd be back in a while.
As she pulled closed the door of Myla's and mine,
Then started the buzzer "THERE'S AIR-IN-THE-LINE!"