Associate Reflection | Coworkers Supporting an Associate in Tough Times
By Alyson Voelkerding
My co-workers at The Resource Group made all the difference for me a few years ago. In June 2023, my big brother, Jeremy (47) was sent to the emergency department for shortness of breath and received a shocking diagnosis.
He thought it was just a sinus infection that may have caused pneumonia, but, a quick CAT scan revealed a grapefruit-sized mass in his chest pushing on his heart and lungs. After a tornado of activity, tests, biopsies, and review of his history, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Malignant Melanoma with tumors in his chest, brain, and intestines.
I vividly remember witnessing the moment when the realization washed over him… he had cancer. As a former nurse, I was somewhat well versed in the medical terms, the treatment, and diagnosis. I helped my sister-in-law and my niece and nephew (12 and 14-years-old) navigate the fast-paced medical world and treatment plan. I encouraged them to only think about the next hurdle, one step at a time, one day at a time, just as I had encouraged many of my past patients.
In my life, I’m always “The Prepared One”, a planner. I regularly think through scenarios and how I would react and respond to them. I take pride in building the schedules and plans for everything in my family. But, for once, I was anything but prepared. My brother died only 8 weeks after his diagnosis. That was not in the plan. I had never even thought about that possibility, even though it was a very grim diagnosis. My plan was to have many more years to bicker like siblings do, laugh together, and grow old watching our kids grow up.
Jeremy was a great guy and a wonderful big brother. He was always the life of the party, the first one with a beer in his hand, loved trivia nights, incredibly funny and witty, and loved to get on the dance floor at any occasion. He was also the first one to lend a hand to a friend, the first one to show up when someone needed help rebuilding a deck or cleaning out their garage. Anyone who knew him wanted to be his friend. He was probably one of my biggest cheerleaders and also my biggest critic (because that’s what big brothers do).
During this difficult time, my coworkers at The Resource Group were so supportive. Throughout my brother’s treatment, many coworkers would check in with me and see how things were going. They offered so much encouragement, friendship, and prayers when I needed it the most. Most of them probably didn’t even realize that their comments and chats to me (however small) were lights in the darkness of my grief. In the days and weeks after Jeremy passed away, the friendship and support of my coworkers showed even brighter. There were gifts of flowers, notes/emails, and gift cards to make sure my family was eating.
This struggle helped me to realize that there are so many people gathered around me - in my “tribe” - and they are always there, waiting to strengthen me when I need it. My team at The Resource Group makes me feel stronger each day, professionally and personally, and I want to do the same for them each day.