About: Nurse Delaney

The nurse in the book is inspired by a combination of a few great nurses in my life, but most of the inspiration comes from my friend, Delaney.

When I was 13 and Laney was 7, she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with monosomy 7. Laney fought with such determination and grace that sometimes I forgot how sick she really was. She was the brightest light who shone onto all those around her. Laney stayed active and happy during her 7-month inpatient treatment, regularly playing Just Dance or playing pranks on nurses. She comforted her family and mine and cared about the other kids on her floor. Laney loved Taylor Swift and one of her last wishes was to meet Taylor. They got to FaceTime on Laney’s 8th birthday, her last birthday, which was December 20th, 2013. Laney died a few days later on Christmas Morning.

Laney was a huge part of my life before she got sick and I was worried that I’d lose connection to her as more years passed. I searched for ways to intentionally honor and remember her. Growing up, I knew that I was interested in psychology and writing (lol look at me now!) but didn’t quite know what I wanted to do with either. When I spent time with Laney in the hospital, I was introduced to her team of child life specialists. If you want to read the official definition of what a CLS is, you can read that here. My elevator pitch is that a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) is a special blend of a therapist and a social worker, among many other things. Once a family is given a cancer (or disability, or surgical, any big & life changing event) diagnosis, the person they see immediately after the doctor is the CCLS. As a CCLS, I would help break down the medical jargon so the family fully understands what’s happening. I would prepare them for procedures, help them play and learn to stay on track with development, and offer emotional support to the patient, siblings, and family as I’m able. In my head, I think of the profession as being the family’s “person.” They can come to you with concerns and count on you to advocate for them. Laney was so fortunate to have an incredible team of CCLSs at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Getting to know them is what inspired me to become a CCLS. When her team came to her funeral, that inspiration solidified to a concrete plan. I want to be that kind of support system to families who need it, like mine did.

I quickly remembered that I hate blood and regularly throw up and pass out at my own procedures, so I probably wouldn’t make the best nurse. I just wanted to feel close to Laney and honor her by accomplishing what she wanted. I pivoted into the child life realm and haven’t looked back. Now, as I write my book, I knew I needed to incorporate Laney. I usually try to incorporate her in what I do, but this is extra special since she’s what started it all for me. I wouldn’t be here without her influence. It only seemed natural to have a grown-up version of her be the nurse. She is dressed in her finest pink cheetah scrubs and offers the same love and care to Lyla that she did to me, and that I know she would have done to her patients. I like to think in another life or timeline somewhere, she is taking care of her patients and inspiring them with her own story.

If you want to read more about Laney, you can do that on her Facebook pages or her website. Laney’s mom started a nonprofit in her honor which still shines brightly 10 years later. I try to bring Laney with me to everything that I get to do that makes me think of her. I wore pink shoes to graduation so “she” could walk across the stage, I’ve written essays about her, given presentations, and so much more. I think of her every day and she encourages me when I’m down. I’m sure I’ll add to this post or write more about her too. The good parts of me are so heavily influenced by the good parts of Laney and I’m so thankful for that. She was the most beautiful soul who was taken from the world entirely too soon. I hope you think of her at the next pink sunset, or funny YouTube video, or while reading about her as the nurse in my book!