September 28, 2021
Joy’s Blog: A Lot of Good Yet to Come
These days I welcome the familiar. Little things like the way my keys sound when I unlock the door to my house at the end of the day. Or the same meatloaf dinner I’ve made so many times over the years. Conversations with my daughters, too. With so much unrest going on all around us, there is comfort in the quiet and familiar. I hope that’s true for you, as well.
Recently, something happened that reminded me that normal everyday life is happening in all our lives, even as we live through a pandemic.
My dad was diagnosed with stage 111a, T4 lung cancer. He was a smoker when I was a kid and quit many years ago, but here we sit, nonetheless. He has decided to take the doctors up on six weeks of combined chemo and radiation, along with getting involved with palliative care.
Pain is his biggest issue. His tumor has grown into is diaphragm and as you can imagine, every time he takes a breath, it hurts. His pain never goes away. We made a family decision to have Dad move in with my husband and me for the next 3-4 months while he gets his treatment and recovers.
What I am trying to say is, I know we all have a full life going on just inside the front door to our homes.
That is why I am so inspired by you every day. I see the bravery in our ER nurses who go to work and face challenges many of us never know. I know for those of you in plastic gowns how sweat runs down your back as you feed a patient bite after bite, helping them eat and drink. I watch people get into Geri’s line in the cafeteria just because she makes us all feel better. And I see the connection between Lisa Kilgard and her team on Med 1, which is true for so many of you. I see how you lift each other up.
It is because of you—each of you as individuals and all of us together—that the magic is still here.
It is because of you—each of you as individuals and all of us together—that the magic is still here. You make sure that people feel cared for and receive great care, and my dad and I experienced this in a very intimate way over the past week. And for those of you who choose to stay, even though it may be hard, we will pull together as a work family and take care of each other as we take care of others.
There is comfort in caring for each other, this too is familiar space for us at CentraCare. This is a special place, whether you have been here for the past year or the past 31 years, I know you feel it too. It is the people – like you – that make CentraCare what it is.
In ways big and small, things are hard right now and we all need to hang in there together. I see you giving this place your all – especially now. Just like with my dad’s situation, I trust there is a lot of good yet to come.
From the bottom of my heart,
Joy
Joy Plamann DNP, MBA, RN, BC is Central Operations Senior Vice President and St. Cloud Hospital President
Joy, I know what you are going through, as my mother had a cancer diagnosis at the beginning of the pandemic. It is true that CentraCare is so much more than an Employer, but a family for which we can lean on. I truly am grateful for the support that I was given, and the accommodations that were allowed me to juggle the care of my mother and my work-life as the pandemic brought so many unknowns and challenges. My experience as both an employee, and as the caregiver of my mom has been better than I ever could have anticipated. I have no doubt that you are right, and we will see brighter times! Best of luck on this journey with your father. Cherish it!
Thank you for sharing your personal story, Joy, and for never forgetting the staff, providers and leaders at CentraCare! We never know what is going on for people behind closed doors and there is a lot-that I am sure of! Thank you for your eloquence and your “humanness”. Prayers for your dad and for your family; and for our CentraCare family. We are here together and we will get through this together! Hugs, Melissa
Thank you Melissa for your support. You are absolutely right…we are all human, we don’t have perfect lives, we don’t always say or do the exact right thing…but it is in these moments that we learn most about ourselves and each other.
Thank you Joy for sharing your story. It is leaders like you who continue to inspire each of us…every day! Continued prayers for inner strength for you and your dad during his cancer journey!
Thank you Tiffany! Caring for parents is a journey you know well…and through your journey I have learned so much already.
Joy,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. Dan and I think are thinking of you and sending prayers your way. I am amazed at what you all have on your plate and yet you still have such a pulse on our amazing staff and how we’re all doing. It’s a challenging time right now, so THANK YOU for taking the time to appreciate those hanging in there for our patients, our community and for each other.
Joy, you are amazing! Not only are you going through your own personal challenges, you continue to lift up this organization.
I am sorry to hear of your father. May your Dad’s journey be blessed with healing, laughter and strength. Prayers to you and your family. Remember your CentraCare is here to support you and lift you up.
Thank you for your message reminding us all why we are here and that we all need support sometimes. Praying your Dad’s cancer journey goes well and he can get rid if the pain through this. Enjoy all the time you can with him as it is time you never will get back. I cared for my Dad and I would do it all over again. Praying for strength and healing for your Dad and the rest of you all. Take care-
Kim, thank you for sharing a bit of your story with all of us. I agree, although there have been hard moments so far, I do not regret this decision. There have been so many wonderful moments already. This is truly treasured time.
Thanks Joy for sharing your story. We for sure all have the challenges in our life right now and I pray for you and your families challenges. You know you are also a part of the Medical Unit One team and I appreciate your hard work and dedication and patience to help and listen even through these difficult times.
Thank you for sharing your story Joy – what a beautiful way to remind us of the impact each of us make on our patients, colleagues, and community. Thinking of you, your dad, and your family!
Praying for you. The Lord will carry you — remember the one set of Footprints in the sand.
What a great message and a wonderful picture of you and your Dad! I liked your comment, “I trust there is a lot of good yet to come.” Prayers for peace and healing.
Thank you for your heartfelt message, Joy. May your dad, you, and your family find support, strength, and healing in the days ahead.
Thank you Marge for your kind blessings!
Well said Joy. Prayers to you and your family as you continue the journey of life.
Thank you Jacob!
Prayers and thoughts for you and your family. He is lucky to have such a wonderful daughter to help him through this time. I hope he has relief from daily pain soon! Thank you for sharing Joy to remind us that everyone is fighting battles and it isn’t always related to the pandemic.
Thank you Renee! Despite others things standing still during the pandemic for periods of time, the battles for many kept coming. It’s good to remember that we are all here to support each other.
What a sweet picture of you and your dad, praying for his recovery and your family. Thank you for sharing your personal journey and the reminder we will get through this together!
A beautiful message, Joy! A wonderful reminder to us all and I’m glad you opened up and shared. Prayers!
Thank you for your message and why we are here. Prayers to your dad and your family as you navigate through his journey with cancer.
Thank you Michelle! We have witnessed so many people living their purpose at CentraCare over the past few weeks. It is one of the reasons why I knew my dad had to come here!
Dear Joy, Thank you so much for sharing about your father’s health journey. You will have some of the most challenging but memorable moments while he lives with you and goes through treatment. Embrace the moments. Prayers for grace, strength and healing to your father and you and your family.
Mary, you are absolutely right! It’s been 9 days since my dad moved in and I make sure to feel those blessings every single day. They are a gift, just like you are to all of us! Thank you for your support!
Just what I needed to hear today… thank you for sharing your story and reminding us of the good! Prayers to you and your family as you navigate your Dad’s cancer journey.
Thank you Gail! Sometimes it is so easy to go down a negative path. No doubt this is and will be hard, but it is time I will never have again and for that I am so thankful!
What a beautiful message, Joy! Sorry to hear about your dad’s illness but I’m glad you chose to share with all of us. You reminded us that life continues to happen outside of the walls of our care facilities and we need to continue to support each other through it all.
Thanks Deb! I have learned that people cannot help unless we share our stories and no matter how hard we may want to deny it…we all need support at times!
Thanks for sharing your story Joy. Lots going on right now in many of our lives. We’re here to support you through the challenges as we await the good to come. Praying for your dad, for you and your family.
Thank you Joe! I feel the support from you and others and remember, we are all here for each other!