"Kindness, dedication and friendship"

I was recently discharged from the NRC. I was super happy to be going home after a lengthy hospital stay. But I was also sad to say goodbye to all the wonderful people who came into my life and blessed me with their kindness, dedication and friendship.

6 weeks earlier, I was transferred to the NRC from Royal Free Hospital. The first thing I noticed was how friendly and helpful the nurses were in making me feel at home. Always polite and smiling, no request was too much to ask of them.

Then I met the two main physiotherapists, Viktorija and Marta. I remembered feeling a little apprehensive as they assessed my condition, exchanging notes among themselves. Then, it was, 'We will see you on Monday, at the gym.' With a smile and a wave, they were gone.

For the next six weeks, I was put through my pace, starting with learning to stand and walk with a stick to climbing the stairs and navigating the impromptu obstacle courses to help with my balance. There were sessions where I got to play with water, rice and various plastic toys. Then there was typing on the computer and writing out a text from a book. All to prepare me for the challenge of everyday living beyond the walls of the gym.

Then I went to the early breakfast club run by Suman. With a bright smile and a 'good morning', Suman would bustle around the three hungry eaters as she helped with the breakfast items, clearing the crumbs and sending us on our way when we had finished eating. Despite my disability, I learned to make and butter the toast and make my tea. Whilst I am not a morning person, I did look forward to the breakfast club to start my day and to share the meal with two others at the table. And my morning chat with Suman.

Lunches and dinners were pretty quiet affairs as we focused on satisfying our ravenous appetites after two hours of gym time. Conversations were few and far between and were often limited to polite talks about the weather or your choice of the menu of the day. For those who stayed on, that was when the real conversation began. Dinner was a lonely occasion as most patients would retire to their rooms to have their meals. But once in a while you would have company and we would talk about our day and visits from our families or friends. And with a few good jokes thrown in.

Lastly, about the quality of the meals at the Centre. Hospital food had gotten a lot of flak from the press and the patients themselves. From undercooked peas to overcooked carrots, from meals swimming in gravy to crusts that were hard as rocks, there was no end to bad publicity about hospital food. At the centre, I have always enjoyed my meals, especially the shepherd's pie, the flans and the desserts. Lucy would come to take my order for the meals and with time, she got to know my preferences. My compliment to the chef was a clean plate each time!

I will always remember my stay at the Centre where everyone worked so hard to put me back on my feet (literally). And I will remember the staff with much fondness and heartfelt gratitude for all they have done for me at the Centre. I hope to come to visit the Centre when I am back in full health and bring a pandan cake to celebrate our newfound friendship.