Volume 25
Number 4
February 21, 2014
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Ringing the Bell:
Recognizing an Achievement
As pancreatic cancer patient Verolga Nix-Allen walked slowly through the waiting room of Radiation Oncology in the Perelman Center – flanked by her son and daughter – the room erupted with clapping, smiles, and tears. Wearing a graduation cap and gown, she arrived at a large bell and pulled its cord sharply. The sound rang out. In other departments, this might be an unusual event but not here. This celebration happens, on average, 10 times a week and it’s always for good reason: It signifies that the patient has completed radiation treatments. Office supervisor, Chris Hartman has seen many variations of the ringing. Some are low key – a patient comes with one or two family members – while others are much more elaborate. For example, NixAllen held a special celebration — with many well-wishers — during which her choir sang “I’m a Survivor,” a composition she had written. Another patient “belonged to a motorcycle club and they all came!” Hartman said. “People bring balloons, roses… It’s incredible.”
The bell ringing is truly a rite of passage for these patients who endure so much to fight their cancer.
“It helps people mark a successful completion but also recognizes that just making it through the weeks of treatment is an achievement,” said Theresa Myers, BSN, RN, OCN, nurse manager. “It’s hard to come here, every day, for weeks, getting radiation and coping with side effects. Patients watch others cross the finish line and look forward to when it’s their turn.”
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`` Verolga Nix-Allen finished her radiation treatment by ringing the bell and celebrating with family and friends.
Hugs for the patient are a big part of all ringings — from family members and friends, other patients, and staff. “We all get to know each other well. There’s a great deal of camaraderie.” Hartman said. Indeed, patients who have finished treatment will often come back to say hi during follow-up visits or to witness other patients they’ve befriended ring the bell. Ending treatment is bittersweet, said patient John Day, who recently completed treatment. “I’m excited that I’m done but I’ll miss the radiation team who made the treatments so much easier, the other patients in the waiting room, the front desk staff… So many great people.”
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Ringing the bell wasn’t always a part of radiation treatment at Penn. When patient Frank McKee came for treatment in 2011, “your treatment ended and that was it. It was such an empty feeling. Your whole life changes during treatment. You become a part of a community…and then it’s over.”
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