I became a nurse over 30 years ago and have 22 years hands-on experience. I have worked in most areas of nursing throughout my career, but it wasn't until I got into oncology nursing that I felt I had found my true fit. I took a 10-year break from nursing to raise my kids, but cancer care was never far from my mind. In fact, I told my pastor at the time that I felt that God had laid it upon my heart to be involved with a Christain based support group. I did not know how that was going to play out then, but I feel this website and subsequent Project H.O.P.E is what the Lord has been laying the groundwork for all these years. I grew up surrounded by creative people, but never felt that I was a creative soul as well.    In addition to writing poetry, I scrapbook, and make handmade cards; all skills honed as my form of therapy while raising 3 children. I feel God has equipped me with the heart of a nurturer and the soul of a creative for this special purpose. 

Over half of my nursing career was in oncology care. For the past seven years I worked at an outpatient oncology clinic
and administered chemotherapy. I hate that people have to suffer from cancer and the side effects related to their treatment, but I felt that in that setting, I could truly make a difference in someone's life. My goal as a chemotherapy nurse was to make each person's experience the most positive it could possibly be. To that end, I have some ideas that I
used to make my patients feel safe and well cared for. I am using this gallery to showcase some of these ideas to get feedback and to maybe inspire other nurses or caregivers to do the same with anyone they know is dealing with cancer.

 I have recently chosen to step away from nursing to concentrate on the next chapter of my life. I believe God is calling me to pour my energies into helping cancer patients through my website and not from the chairside. I will be collaborating with 2 other oncology nurses to help create a pathway for patients to get support in navigating the world they have been thrown into.  I will be expanding the ' I Have Cancer, Now What?' manual to become that navigation system.