Mesothelioma Nurse Takes Workshop Designed to Help Her Help Patients Heal Faster

• Lisa Hyde-Barrett
• Nurse's Corner, Uncategorized

I was recently working in the intensive care unit when I received a patient from the operating room. She was 65 years old and had her lung removed because of mesothelioma. She was a pleasant woman who was awake and able to converse with me. I was getting her settled, which can be time consuming, and I was able to explain my movements and my tasks to help alleviate some of her anxiety.

Soon her husband came in to stay with her, and I included him in my explanation of the plan for recovery, as well as explaining our policies. It is important to include the family and patient in the plan of care.

As our afternoon progressed, I found the patient and her husband fascinating. The patient, who I will call Rose, was unique and had something that I was drawn to. As our afternoon continued, I learned about her personal journey. She lived with her husband and had a supportive family. Unfortunately, her brother-in-law was battling cancer as well. This couple had been faced with their own cancer story and were also weighed down by other family member’s cancer as well.

Rose had received chemotherapy preoperatively, and as she says, it was rough. She had lost some of her hair, and she was petite, with not much excess weight. She continued to tell me about her life and her journey with mesothelioma. I still felt something was different about her. Then she told me she had taken a workshop prior to her surgery – Peggy Huddleston’s Prepare for Surgery Heal Faster.

Rose and her husband explained that someone contacted them after they requested this workshop. She explained to me this woman called them and spent approximately an hour on the phone call using mind body techniques. It is a five-step process to prepare for surgery (or chemotherapy or radiation). My shift ended and I said goodbye and wished them well.

As I drove home that evening I thought about her and realized I had to investigate more about Peggy Huddleston. Thank goodness for Google. I found her on the internet and called her. We had numerous conversations about her workshop and how I had met Rose. I got the book. I read it from start to end and sat back and thought about it.

My next step was to take the workshop. It was a two-day workshop to become trained on how to offer this workshop to patients. The course was on a Sunday, and I drove about 40 miles to see this woman at her house. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical and uneasy about this. I really was not sure what to expect.

One hour after meeting her I was hooked. I was fascinated by her thoughts, stories and ideas. We continued through the day and into the next with information offered on how to make a difference for this these patients. I felt like this was no accident and this is the basis of me being a nurse, I want to make a difference, especially for mesothelioma patients.

The two days flew by like no other conference/workshop I had ever been to, and I have attended my fair share. I was energized and excited about this new way to help people. So now I too can offer this workshop to help people with their medical treatments.

If you need something else try this. I have seen a lot during my career and this works. Besides making you feel well, there is research that shows this workshop reduces length of stay, and lessens the need for pain medicine. There are many testimonials about this program – and Rose was one of them saying it made a huge difference in her recovery and journey with mesothelioma.

If you are interested in reading and learning more about this, or if you have any question about any aspect of your mesothelioma care, please email me at [email protected].