SpringfieldNewsSun.com

In January of 2007 I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer. I had never been to a hospital or had any surgery, but found myself having one breast and 28 lymph nodes removed. When I was told I would have to have Chemotherapy and Radiation I thought my life was going to fall apart. With a positive attitude I went in to Good Samaritan North Hospital to have my first Chemo treatment. I was so scared. I was not sure what was going to happen. Then a nurse in the Hematology & Oncology Unit by the name of Linda Knotts became my nurse for the duration of my Chemotherapy and my 52 weeks of herceptin, which I am still receiving. Her compassion to me that day was something I will always remember. She explained the whole process to me from the time she put the needle into my port until she finished with me that day. Every question I asked she answered honestly and her knowledge of what she was doing was unbelievable. After almost a full year of my herceptin treatment I have never seen Linda in a bad mood with myself or others around me that she was also treating. As I will be excited when my journey ends with the herceptin, I will miss Linda very much. I will miss her caring attitude, kind words when she gives me my treatments and the knowledge I have gained from this experience. She truly is my HERO!!!
Nominated by Vickie Thokey