Makayla Claussen brings her best to her patients
A recent storm presented challenges, but Makayla acted to ensure her patients were safe.
Makayla Claussen knows what it feels like to hear those dreaded words: you have cancer. She has also been through a stem cell transplant and knows how comforting it is to have physicians and nurses who are experts in their field and truly care about their patients. That’s why Makayla didn’t hesitate to go to a hotel during a power outage and climb seven flights of stairs to ensure her patients received the best possible care.
“The last thing I want these patients to worry about is the power. I was more than happy to help especially because I know what it is like,” says Makayla.
Makayla is nurse at the Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at TriStar Centennial serving stem cell transplant patients, the same treatment she received 10 years ago during her own battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After a transplant, patients need to stay near the hospital for 30 days so their vitals can be closely monitored. Many patients don’t live nearby, so they utilize resources like the Hope Lodge or local hotels.
On one particular day, many CAR T-Cell patients were staying at a local hotel during a bad storm. CAR-T Cell therapy is a highly specific treatment in which a sample of your T-Cells are genetically modified to target and destroy cancer cells. The hotel lost power, including key card use, elevators and internet access. Makayla typically utilizes technology to remotely monitor her patient’s temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels. She also utilizes video streaming to talk to the patients to assess their mental status. Since the technology wasn’t working, she decided to get into her car and drive to the hotel, walk up seven flights of stairs to check on her patients. Makayla told the patients to let her know immediately if the power goes out again, even if it is in the middle of the night.
“Makayla continued her duties with compassionate care and good humor,” said one of the patients at the hotel. “No rest for the weary.”
This August, Makayla will celebrate 10 years of cancer remissions. She says her personal cancer journey drives her commitment to her patients and influences the type of care she gives.
“I know personally what it feels like to be a cancer patient,” Makayla stated. “I am a nurse because I have been there and these patients become my best friends.”