The diagnosis of cancer brings a great burden to the lives of patients
and their families. Patients must endure a battery of tests, procedures
and a sense of unknowing. The Cancer Center of Thibodaux Regional not
only offers the highest level of care and technology in the bayou region,
but physicians and staff work to provide the most positive experience
possible for patients.
While the Cancer Center of Thibodaux Regional provides advanced technology
in comfortable surroundings, the uniqueness of the care given is largely
due to the dedicated and experienced staff and physicians who work closely
together to build a first-rate program.
Therapists, nurses and physicians at the Cancer Center of Thibodaux Regional
share one common passion: caring for patients. To provide an extra layer
of support for patients, staff members also earn advanced certifications
in their fields to provide patients with a greater level of care. Staff
members place an emphasis on customer service and treat patients with
compassion and respect.
Because the staff understands that treatments such as chemotherapy can
be stressful for patients, visitors are also welcome during chemotherapy
infusions to offer comfort. One of the dedicated staff members, Gwen Poiencot,
RN, has 21 years of oncology experience and serves as an advocate for
patients by providing education and support.
“I develop very close relationships with all of my patients,”
Poiencot says. “I don’t view them as patients—they are
a part of the family here. My patients give me strength, independence
and courage through the dignity they show when battling cancer. I couldn’t
see myself working in any other field.”
Poiencot tells her story even better with the letter below:
When a patient is given the diagnosis of cancer, they embark on a difficult
journey into the unknown filled with so much overwhelming emotion for
one person to travel alone. This is pretty much how they feel, isolated
and alone and full of fear. This journey will take them and their loved
ones on many bumps, detours, roadblocks, hills and valleys. This is new
and uncharted territory for all involved, with each person going through
their own emotional roller coaster, not knowing what to say or what to
do to help each other.
The part the nurse plays in their lives is one of the guide, or navigator,
and companion. The nurse travels this journey with them, holding their
hands as he/she shows them the different paths available to them and how
to maneuver around the many roadblocks they will approach. The nurse supports
them through the valleys and cheers them on when they reach the hills.
We listen, are ever present and reassure them they are not alone and will
not be alone in this journey of emotional and physical pain. We offer
encouragement when the long journey tires them and they feel like quitting.
We are there to witness the wonderful sense of accomplishment when they
complete their journey, their sense of pride that they did it despite
the earlier fears and beautiful transformation into acceptance when the
journey goes into a different avenue.
They in turn teach the nurse all of the important lessons they learned
about the new beginning of their lives from this day forward, and the
changes they have made to make the most of what has been given them, through
their travels together.
In this close relationship we develop a respect and love that lasts forever.
The nurse, patient and family become a unit, extended family, a bond difficult
to break. These are the good things cancer brings about.
Gwen Poiencot, RN
Poiencot is only one of the dedicated souls at the Cancer Center of Thibodaux
Regional that not only provides quality care, but emotional support to
those who need it at this pressing time in their lives. To learn more
about the staff and services available at the Cancer Center of Thibodaux
Regional call (985) 493-4700 or visit us at www.thibodaux.com/cancer.
About Thibodaux Regional Health System
Thibodaux Regional Health System, a 185-bed acute care facility, provides
inpatient and outpatient care for the people of Lafourche and seven surrounding
parishes. Highly specialized services offered include Heart Surgery, Medical
and Radiation Oncology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Sports
Medicine, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, General, Laparoscopic, and
Bariatric Surgery, Pulmonology, Rheumatology, Women’s Services,
Sleep Disorders, Behavioral Health, and Inpatient and Outpatient Physical
Rehabilitation Services.
Nationally recognized for quality care and service, Thibodaux Regional
has been named a Distinguished Hospital by J.D. Power and Associates and
has been honored with the Press Ganey Summit Award for high levels of
patient satisfaction. In 2009, Thibodaux Regional received the Outstanding
Achievement Award from the American College of Surgeons Commission on
Cancer for the second time and is the only hospital in Louisiana to do so.