DEBRA S
Eileen Konieczny is a one-of- a-kind person and nurse/health practitioner. Her commitment and passion to help others is unique. If each of us exhibited an iota of Eileen's devotion, love and caring for her patients, the world would be truly a different place.
I had the privilege of meeting Eileen under anything but ideal circumstances. I was out of town visiting a lifelong friend {36-year relationship) for Christmas. My friend had been diagnosed with stage four cancer eleven months prior. Eileen was one of his nurses that first week in the oncology wing.
After being discharged, I stayed with Richard every weekend. We saw Eileen when Richard would return for his injection after chemo. It was obvious that an incredible bond had been formed between the two of them. Her positive and uplifting, yet very practical advice was felt by both Richard and anyone who accompanied him. She was able to assist with Richard's discomfort, physically and emotionally, with medical information regarding cannabis.
When Richard was re-admitted the week after Christmas, the doctor communicated that he had weeks to maybe months left to live. Richard transitioned/died eight days later while in the hospital. It was during this period especially that it felt Eileen had become family. She came and spent the entire day with Richard and me on her day off! It is difficult to articulate what a gift she gave both of us. Her very presence and monitoring of Richard's condition and her empathy for me was something I have never witnessed in the healthcare profession.
Eileen and I have stayed in touch with almost two years approaching since his death. Aside from caring for her personal family, she has obviously made it her mission to make a difference in the lives of many, along with changing regulations regarding the use of cannabis. She's my hero!
I had the privilege of meeting Eileen under anything but ideal circumstances. I was out of town visiting a lifelong friend {36-year relationship) for Christmas. My friend had been diagnosed with stage four cancer eleven months prior. Eileen was one of his nurses that first week in the oncology wing.
After being discharged, I stayed with Richard every weekend. We saw Eileen when Richard would return for his injection after chemo. It was obvious that an incredible bond had been formed between the two of them. Her positive and uplifting, yet very practical advice was felt by both Richard and anyone who accompanied him. She was able to assist with Richard's discomfort, physically and emotionally, with medical information regarding cannabis.
When Richard was re-admitted the week after Christmas, the doctor communicated that he had weeks to maybe months left to live. Richard transitioned/died eight days later while in the hospital. It was during this period especially that it felt Eileen had become family. She came and spent the entire day with Richard and me on her day off! It is difficult to articulate what a gift she gave both of us. Her very presence and monitoring of Richard's condition and her empathy for me was something I have never witnessed in the healthcare profession.
Eileen and I have stayed in touch with almost two years approaching since his death. Aside from caring for her personal family, she has obviously made it her mission to make a difference in the lives of many, along with changing regulations regarding the use of cannabis. She's my hero!
Bill VI know Eileen Konieczny as an oncology nurse & cancer patient advocate for the use of Medical Cannabis as well as its derivative extract, cannabidiol. In 2012 my girlfriend Robin, at 59, was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer throughout her bones. I began searching for information about Medical Cannabis for treatment of cancer & the side effects of chemotherapy but I needed to know more beyond what I could find online.
Ms. Konieczny very kindly shared her knowledge & experience working with cancer patients as well as her observations of the palliative benefits of Medical Cannabis with both Robin & myself. Robin was prepared & willing to try Medical Cannabis as a treatment supplement but died before she could acquire any. That she was not able to try it is entirely due to the extreme difficulty in acquiring Medical Cannabis. I am convinced that Medical Cannabis would have eased her bone pain & reduced her dependency on opioid based pain medications which very negatively effected her digestive system causing a perforated colon, requiring surgical intervention & hastening her death. I feel Robin would have also lived longer with less suffering & been able to make better final preparations had Medical Cannabis been available to her. Nonetheless, Ms. Konieczny provided hope & solid guidance when it was being sought. That this treatment was unavailable to Robin only serves to underscore the need for its being accessible to all patients who it would benefit. Ms. Konieczny, in her capacity as an oncology nurse for 20 years has chaired many women's cancer support groups & has witnessed firsthand the physical relief & the improvement in morale in those women who had access to Medical Cannabis. Ms. Konieczny brings experience, compassion & critical oversight to what needs to be the careful stewardship of this demonstrably needed addition to open & sanctioned patient care. |
|
|
Mitch
In a recent Unfortunate stay in the Hospital, Eileen was My Nurse and really stood out, making what could have been a horrible experience, manageable. With her sensitivity to my specific case, and understanding of the situation I was in she professionally completed her tasks with humor, integrity an kindness. Just wish I could have had 2 more shifts of her :)
August 16, 2011, Mitch was eileen's client |
|
|
HOURS
BY APPOINTMENT
BY APPOINTMENT