"Care of my dad"

My dad unfortunately had a ruptured aneurysm (a slow rupture) which was to be managed palliatively. The staff who met him in A + E whom I never met but appeared to have great compassion for a man who ultimately knew his time was up and only wanted to have a cigarette - they indulged this whilst supporting my brother + sister. For that I am thankful. 

He was transferred to surgical 2 where I can honestly commend the majority of staff. Managing a rupturing aneurysm is a difficult challenge (I work as a nurse + understand the ultimate horror which can occur). 

First of all I want to thank Tina - when my dad's rapid rhinos were removed he bled progressively. She reassured him at ever step of the way, giving him a glove filled with ice to distract him at the back of his neck. Being a calm and encouraging nurse. I cannot honestly fault her, she did everything for my daddy and for us on that day and we as a family are very very thankful. There was also a male student nurse( didn't catch his name) who honestly was brilliant - he will make an outstanding nurse. 

We were thankful after this to be transferred into a side room especially for the other patients to not have to witness that again. Where we could hold our time together being there for the 5 days that strong, strong man lasted. The relatives room was a godsend, the catering, HCA + Nurses who all checked in on us, making sure we were fed, watered, caffeinated and were having breaks. Who repositioned and washed dad when we asked or he was uncomfortable. Thank you all - with mention to Kassandra who was astute and offered lightheartedness amongst the heaviness of the room. Nothing was ever too much from the staff in surgical 2 and we appreciate what a great job they all did. 

Lynda C - the specialist palliative nurse. What an incredible human being. She held us all together, managing my daddy's pain, restlessness + informing us at all points of the medication he was written up for and to ask. She treated daddy with compassion and love. Especially when a consultant surgeon was suggesting a transfer to the Robinson. She supported us and provided us with a voice. Her colleague also was invaluable and commended by our family. 

On the evening of my dad's passing, unfortunately the handover did take a very long time in which I ended up having to suction my dad as all the secretions from his throat came up. Understandably I am affected by this and given the chance I will always do what was right but when we asked for help we could not find any staff except some junior doctors who... I think thought it was a catastrophic bleed happening when it was simply a need for medication + they just wondered off. We requested more secretion medication - which was given. Then he unfortunately needed suctioned again when there was no staff around again due to handover. We requested medication which again was given - when asked what was being given this time the nurse appeared to not know/could not pronounce, they unfortunately did not introduce themselves us and appeared to be unhappy with the fact we asked questions + their demeanor and attitude was just a bit "off". No checking to see if we were ok, if there was any other interventions required, appeared to just not want to be in the room - which unfortunately sometimes happens when other nurses realise there is a nurse in the room and feel under scrutiny (which is not the case - I was there as a daughter and only wanted to be there in that capacity).

Shortly thereafter my dad sadly passed away. On a whole we as a family are so impressed with the staff in surgical 2 and we send them our thanks and love for all their support to us all and we really do appreciate everything they did for us. It is very clear to see there is a great team morale. Staff were laughing + joking, supporting one another, supporting the patients and we are grateful to have had ourselves and especially our beloved daddy in the wards care.