The news would be devastating to any young mother, but for a nurse accustomed to working with oncology patients it was even more so. After taking maternity leave from her job at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida following the birth of her second child, Nicole Barlanti was diagnosed with stage 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme, an aggressive and most common form of brain tumor. About two to three cases are diagnosed per 100,000 people in the U.S.and Europe each year.
As she recovered from an 11 hour emergency surgery, her colleagues from her wing of the hospital, Three North, organized a flash mob of 20 that included choreographed dancing to the tune of “Roar” by Katy Perry.
In an interview with First Coast News, Amanda Pendleton, a co-worker, said: “We work in oncology so we see this everyday. …But to have it happen to one of your own, while she was on maternity leave is completely devastating.”
As she waits to be cleared to return to work, Barlanti said it was a welcome diversion that made her forget the stress for awhile.
