CTCA Tulsa Daisy Awardee’s Advice: Live Every Day Like it is Your Last

story and photos by Mary Waller

According to tradition, blue is the color associated with a 10th anniversary. Blue is also often given the designation of relating to the attributes of professionalism, loyalty, honor, spirituality, stability and peace.
Sarah Spurek, RN, BSN, OCN, exemplifies nursing professionalism and many other wonderful “blue” character traits. She is a team member in the Infusion Center at Tulsa’s Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) and was recognized recently with a DAISY Award. CTCA is a hospital-partner with the international DAISY Award program, which highlights and rewards one nurse per quarter for extraordinary, compassionate and skillful care demonstrated in their everyday work.
“Each day as an oncology nurse can be totally different than the one before,” said Sarah, who will celebrate her 10-year work anniversary with CTCA in December. “On a typical 12-hour shift day I may have seven to 15 patients. And, my patients may be in Infusion anywhere from 30 minutes to 10-plus hours, depending on the treatment.”
For her, a typical day is a strategic balancing act with lots of moving parts and bouncing back and forth.
“When I first meet with a patient who is getting chemotherapy, I check the doctor’s order and notes, chemo consents and the patient’s lab work,” Sarah explained. “I also look to see if they have had education on their chemo and what treatment number they are on. At that time I’ll start an IV or access the patient’s port or use a patient’s PICC line, the whole time I am assessing them.”
“I always begin by explaining the process to the patient and then giving pre-medications, chemotherapy and other fluids using programmable pumps,” she said. “I have to check to make sure the fluids are compatible and spaced out properly. My goal is to provide safety and the Mother Standard of Care to my patients.”
When Sarah has the opportunity to meet caregivers, she endeavors to really connect, help them understand what their loved one is receiving, and put everyone at ease. She sometimes also has the chance to pray with her patients, which she noted is a very meaningful experience for her.
Sarah grew up a long way from Oklahoma, near a town called Delta Junction in Alaska. She shared that she had a lot of medical and learning issues as a youth and was able to get great tutoring and teaching to help her overcome some learning problems. After moving to the Tulsa area in 1999, she attended Tulsa Community College for an RN degree and later Oklahoma Wesleyan for her BSN degree.
Sarah and her husband live in Kiefer and have been married for almost 10 years. One of the fun things they do together over the holidays every year is make “Memory Ornaments” for each person in their youth group. “Memory ornaments were inspired by a Christmas ornament that I received from a special patient nine years ago,” she explained. “We make unique, handmade ornaments for our church kids so they can have a collection of their own ornaments when they grow up.” The couple is six years into their new tradition with no plans on stopping.
Sarah approaches her life like she does her work, with commitment and gratitude.
“An important lesson I’ve learned as an oncology nurse is to value every day,” said Sarah. “You never know what’s going to happen. You’re not guaranteed another day, so live each day like it’s your last and try your best to keep a positive outlook.”