The greatest challenges we face can serve to guide and prepare us for our dreams.
Our friend, pediatric RN Aaron Gfeller, learned just that after conquering cancer
at Children's Hospital.
In July 2000, the summer before his senior year of high school, Aaron Gfeller
learned he had cancer—a rare and complicated form called rhabdomyosarcoma. Even
while undergoing surgical procedures and months of difficult chemotherapy through
the BI-LO Children's Cancer Center, formerly known as the Pediatric Hematology
and Oncology Center of the Children’s Hospital, Aaron was able to keep up with
his schoolwork and graduated with his class. In the fall, he began studies at
Bob Jones University but withdrew after a month, needing a chance to recover from
his illness.
Aaron’s break lasted two years. During that time, he contributed to two programs for kids with cancer and chronic blood disorders offered through Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Center. He volunteered with SCAT (“Showing Courage All Together”), a support group for teens on and off treatment, and also served as a counselor at Camp Courage, a medically supervised summer camp held yearly at Camp Greystone in Tuxedo, N.C.
By the spring of 2003, Aaron had finished chemotherapy and received the long-hoped-for
news that his CT scans were clear. Something else had become clear to Aaron: He
wanted to return to the Children’s Hospital.
He re-enrolled at BJU that fall—this time with no doubts—as a nursing major.
His own experience being surrounded by caregivers he admired and working with
other young people with cancer helped him make his decision. There was another
key underlying his decision: The fact that his experience took place at Greenville
Hospital System.
“Children’s Hospital is amazing,” Aaron said. “There’s great treatment available
and there’s also this incredible, uplifting atmosphere, this pervading positive
attitude shared by the staff that just doesn’t compare with other places.”
Aaron says that’s no small thing, considering research shows that disease-fighting
white blood cells increase when patients are surrounded by practitioners who are
caring and optimistic.
“The doctors and nurses are trained in the newest and best treatments for patients
with complex diseases, but they’ve got something you can’t train for, and that’s
a genuine love for what they do and where they are,” said Aaron.
He’ll never forget one nurse who, during off time, would come play the guitar
for him for hours.
The kids themselves were another inspiration.
When Aaron went to the cancer center for the first time, he was scared and feeling
sorry for himself. Then he saw lots of youngsters, even toddlers, bald from chemotherapy
but having fun.
“You wouldn’t know they had cancer,” Aaron said. “Like the rest of Children’s
Hospital, the surroundings and the staff at the Cancer Center had made them feel
comfortable and loved.”
Those kids, the teens he later met through the support group, and the doctors
and nurses he saw regularly helped Aaron adopt a hopeful, positive outlook of
his own.
Even as he’s been busy studying nursing, he’s stayed connected with that extended
family. In the spring, he organized and directed a soccer tournament at college
to benefit the SCAT support group.
Aaron was told that when he completed his degree in 2007, a job in nursing would
be waiting for him at Children’s Hospital.
“I understand what kids with cancer are going through,” said Aaron. “I’ve seen
firsthand the amazing quality of care that Children’s Hospital provides, and I
can’t wait to get back … and to give back.”
More than eight years after his diagnosis, X-rays show that Aaron is still cancer-free
and is in full remission. He is currently a registered nurse in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
at Children's Hospital.
