Memories from the first year on levels 8, 9 and 10

On December 14, 2021, more than 70 inpatients transferred to their new rooms on Cambridge Tower A levels 8, 9 and 10. The opening added 100 needed beds to The University of Kansas Health System’s campus in Kansas City shared with the University of Kansas Medical Center, thanks to a transformational $66 million gift from The Sunderland Foundation. More than 1 year later, physicians and staff have cared for hundreds of patients in the advanced care environment.

Staff shared some of their favorite memories from the first year of Cambridge Tower A’s second-to-none stem cell and cell therapy transplant unit:

The most memorable moment for me was when I worked a day shift and got to see a sweet patient hit the gong when she was discharged. We don’t get to share in those moments on night shift, so it was fun to be a part of that. Since the gong is by the nurses station, it is exciting to see pictures and videos of our patients with their families as they strike the gong before leaving. Many happy tears are shed, by both patients and staff, witnessing that moment.

I love visiting with patients who had been on our old units when they talk about how much the new space means to them. This space truly helps our patients heal, mentally and physically, when they’re here for so long. We also take great pride keeping our space in top condition and enjoy having lunch with a view.

The first year was a whirlwind, with the excitement of moving into our new space and other changes throughout the health system. As we approach this anniversary, I can’t help but think of our triumphs.

Our patient population is unique, as they stay on the unit for a month or more at a time. These patients become family and we create lasting bonds that are so important to our nurses, personal care assistants and physicians. One patient in particular stands out: She was a longtime patient who had been through a rough course of treatment, spending time in the ICU and eventually returning to our unit with a trach.

We were all rooting for her and her determination coming back from the ICU. Her fight, or as we like to say, “eye of the tiger,” was strong.

After a few weeks of demanding physical and occupational therapy and speech training, she was ready to be discharged. Each time a patient is discharged, we celebrate the moment at our gong. We now refer to this as “The Gong Show,” where staff celebrate the patient as he or she strikes the gong. This was her time to strike the gong. To make her exit special, we formed a tunnel near the gong for her to roll through in her wheelchair. With staff cheering her, she rang the gong like there was no tomorrow. Her appreciation and love for us, and the pride we all felt in her care, reminds each of us why we continue to work in this field and why we love our blood and marrow transplant patients.

Overall, the new space allows us to create something special for our patients. The view from up here is spectacular. On the Fourth of July, patients can see the sky ablaze with color from the fireworks. From Chiefs touchdowns to July 4 fireworks, all that we see from our windows helps us celebrate as a city. During the Plaza Lighting Ceremony, we gather on Thanksgiving for a glimpse of the lights. Even as staff return to their duties, patients linger to observe the fireworks display that follows grace the sky. No one likes to spend holidays in the hospital, but this adds a sense of normalcy to the day.

I remember the surprise expressed by a new patient to the unit upon seeing her room for the first time! She was shocked by how inviting her room was and she thought the space and her view were incredible.

There was also a patient who was here for several months after receiving a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia. He transferred to our care from the ICU and was very ill. After his induction chemotherapy, he needed additional chemotherapy. There were times he felt defeated and wasn’t sure if he’d ever leave. About 6 weeks after he was admitted, his condition began to turn around. His white blood cell count went up and he began walking laps on the unit saying “hi” to everyone. Shortly thereafter, he returned home (which was several hours away) and was back at his baseline. He was always so thankful for his care, and it was great to be here the day he got to go home.

We had a patient who developed severe neurotoxicity as a result of her treatment. We all loved her, but the change in her personality and condition broke our hearts, as we tried our best to help her condition improve. After endless infusions, pushes, rapid response calls and a trip to ICU, she finally returned to her baseline. That’s when I felt the importance of what we do. Seeing her smile again and remembering each one of us made the difference.

There was another patient we all took turns caring for who had received CAR T-cell therapy and developed intermittent confusion. Several days had passed since I had seen him, and I went into his room to help his primary nurse, Jen. I said, “Hi”, and he smiled and said, “Oh, I remember you!” I said, “Yes, I took care of you before. I’m Sewon.” He said, “That’s a beautiful name! Then, what’s her name?” pointing at Jen, who said, “My name is Jen.” Then he said, “Jen, Sewon. JenSewon!” From that moment, he called both of us JenSewon. The next day, when I saw his spouse, she looked at me and said, “JenSewon.” When he would spot us at the nurses’ station as he walked the hallway, he would shout, “JenSewon!”

It was funny and memorable.