Nurse Lori Fox has been helping patients heal since Moffitt Cancer Center opened almost 30 years ago. After decades of caring for cancer patients, Fox became one herself.
- Nurse Lori Fox is a cancer survivor
- She's able to inspire her patients with her story
"It's an overwhelming feeling when you hear that word," she said.
Diagnosed with kidney cancer a few years ago, the nurse was being treated alongside her patients.
"Just hearing that word, I can relate to patients, everything just runs through your mind," said Fox. "'What will the future be like? What will happen? Will I be in pain?'”
Now cancer-free, she has a special connection with her patients.
In particular, Fox shared her story with cancer patient Darby Steadman. Battling the disease for several years, Steadman says she finds a comfort in getting care from a cancer survivor.
"She could understand me on a totally different level which made me even feel more at peace because when I would complain or ask questions she totally knew what I was talking about," said Steadman.
Sure, she's been in their shoes. But their connection can be so much more than that, too.
"I can’t say that we haven’t hugged and laughed and cried together,” said Fox. “I mean that’s part of it, the emotional part of it is very important."
Fox encourages her patients to push forward with a positive attitude.
"It helps to know that Lori’s here because it gives me just an additional kind of push a hope that someone else has fought cancer, is surviving and is thriving," said Steadman.
"To know that I might be giving them that little bit of hope that they need to get through,” said Fox.
Lori is sharing her story publicly as part of the Courage Campaign as the hospital approaches its 30th anniversary in October.