In the span of 12 hours in a hospital cancer ward, practicing nurse and New York Times columnist Theresa Brown shows us lives can be lost, life-altering decisions made, and dreams fulfilled or stolen.
Every day, Brown holds lives in her hands. On this particular day, we learn about four. There is Mr. Hampton, a patient with lymphoma to whom Brown is charged with administering a powerful drug that could cure or kill him; Sheila, who may have been dangerously misdiagnosed; Candace, a returning patient who arrives with her own disinfectant wipes, cleansing rituals and demands; and Dorothy, who after six weeks in the hospital may finally go home.
Prioritizing and ministering to their needs takes the kind of skill, sensitivity and humor that enable a nurse to be a patient’s biggest advocate in a medical system marked by dysfunction, as well as success.
“The Shift,” is available on www.800ceoread.com for $19.96.
