Bone marrow nurse practitioner recognised

No stranger to the wards of the Queensland Children’s Hospital, 18-year-old Megan, who has bravely faced Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, points to the thoughtfulness and care of hospital staff as what’s kept her spirits high.

For Megan, this care was felt deeply when Jill Shergold, a Bone Marrow Nurse Practitioner in Training, coordinated a ‘pink tea party’ for her during one of her longest admissions.

Seeing an opportunity to recognise this care, Megan and her family nominated Jill in Juiced TV’s latest Super Hero Awards, a program co-created by Juiced TV and partner QSuper, now a part of Australian Retirement Trust. The program is designed so the patients may shine a light on medical and support staff — the doctors, nurses, volunteers and others — who selflessly dedicate themselves to the wellbeing of others.

“I know they are the hospital staff, but they are our hospital family. They really are there for us in the darkest times,” Megan’s mother, Trina, said.

“Even though Megan had an amazing team of healthcare professionals behind her, Jill became a particular pillar of support. We wanted to acknowledge Jill because she went above and beyond her remit as a nurse to make sure Megan was comfortable.”

Following life-saving oncology treatment, Megan was in remission from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. But after a moment’s relief, Megan’s second quarterly PET scan revealed the cancer had returned and she would require further treatment.

Megan’s healthcare team determined a combination of stem cell transplant, excision and radiation would be the best way to remove her cancerous cells. As a specialist in bone marrow treatment, Jill stepped onto the scene.

“Megan and her family were so resilient. I would go to them, not always with good news, and they would meet difficult conversations pragmatically, always looking forward,” Jill said.

“A key moment for me was when Megan’s little sister volunteered to be her stem cell donor — I knew then I was working with an inspiring family.”

A tradition at Megan’s school was the Grade 12 ‘Pink Day’ to celebrate the last day of classes, an event Megan had looked forward to since starting high school. When the day arrived, Megan was in the paediatric intensive care unit and too sick to attend.

In recognition of all that she had been through, Jill, with the support of a broader team in the hospital, planned a surprise ‘pink tea party’ for Megan in the hospital. It was the first time she’d seen her friends and grandad since starting her stem cell treatment.

“When you have such a strong, passionate young woman going through some of the most challenging treatments, it breaks your heart when they miss milestones like that,” Jill said.

“Megan was so surprised, and her friends were wonderful. I will always remember when her grandad said to me, ‘I'm so pleased to see this, you worry that she’s getting the best treatment; I can see now she is and that you all really care’.”

Megan is now an outpatient of the hospital while she continues treatment.