Myra Walks in a Patient’s Shoes

In the busy corridors of Charleston Oncology on a triple-booked day of patients, a moment of pure human kindness unfolded, illustrating what it truly means to walk in a patient’s shoes.

Myra Wilson, a dedicated phlebotomist and longstanding teammate, is often the first caregiver a patient encounters on their visit. With an easy way about her and a reassuring smile, Myra makes the challenging journey through cancer treatment a little less daunting.

During Easter week — a time of renewal and giving back — Myra encountered Dr. Douglas Michaelsen’s lung patient, a 57-year-old grandmother battling advanced lung cancer. Myra noticed the patient’s shoes were taped together to sustain another day. More importantly, Myra noticed a need she could fill. The patient confirmed the dire condition of her only pair of shoes, size 8 — an exact fit for the pair Myra happened to have in the trunk of her car.

Dr. Michaelsen’s nurse looked on as Myra, in an act of unrehearsed generosity, offered her shoes to the patient. The patient voiced her gratitude for the unexpected kindness.

Myra’s gesture transcended her role; it was a manifestation of a principle ingrained in the culture of Charleston Oncology — lifting people up when life becomes a weight too heavy to bear alone. For Myra, her work is not just a professional commitment; it is a personal calling. “Even if I didn’t get paid, I would come and do this every day. It’s that important, and I love it that much,” she said with a smile. Her longevity at Charleston Oncology is not just about a job; it’s about being there for people in their toughest times and finding ways to make a positive difference.

The patient received much more than a pair of shoes that day. She was wrapped in a blanket of community, support and love from someone who saw her struggling and chose to step in. The boundless empathy demonstrated by Myra reminds us that sometimes, the most profound healing comes not from the medicines we provide but the kindness we share.

“Even if I didn’t get paid, I would come and do this every day. It’s that important, and I love it that much.”

~Myra Wilson, Phlebotomist

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