Marie S.

Nominated by Jane C.

My husband was diagnosed on November 20 with recurrent head and neck cancer. He is 50 years old. This news was devastating to us as he had been in remission for nearly 6 years. His hospital/rehab course has been ongoing for the past 4 months. He received a tracheotomy and feeding tube the day of his biospy. Not knowing what to do, how to begin to comprehend what was happening and how to care for him, we were referred to Youville Oncology Rehab. It is here that we encountered Michael's primary nurse, Marie St. Fleur. She is one the most compassionate individuals that we have interacted with during this trying time. Literally, our hands were held every step of the way. She set up teaching classes multiple times for myself and extend family members to include suctioning, trach care, tube feedings, medication administering, listened when we thought something was not quite right, effectively communicated our concerns to their very caring staff and repeatedly eased our fears. She has stayed late finding answers to our questions, explaining lab values relating to post chemotherapy and the list goes on. She, like all the members of this team on 2 West is always calm, poised, professional, and most importantly compassionate. Each day brought a smile and sometimes a song. My dad passed away the very first day my husband was admitted and I was told that I could be assured that my husband would be cared for while I tended to my father's services. It was truly amazing the support I received.