"Caring compassion"

I was a patient in Ward 7B of QEUH to have ‘medical talc’ inserted to alleviate symptom mesothelioma. I was supposed to be in hospital for 4/5 days and due to a series of problems ended up there for almost 2 weeks.

On my first three nights in hospital I required emergency treatment from the night staff and I will never forget the compassionate care I received from Staff Nurse Annam assisted by Frances. On the third evening their calm professional care  helped me when I was in great pain and very fearful with what turned out to be blood clots causing pressure on my heart to get through that night.

The next evening Annam spent time with my daughter and me to explain what had happened. As that was her last night on duty I didn’t think I’d see her again, however I was still there on the following week when she came on day shift. What a lovely surprise I got when her smiling face came into my room at 6.45 in the morning - before she was due to go on duty. She sat at my bed and we talked not just about me but what was going on outside and a little about her family.

All the medical and nursing staff were great but on those nights when things were bleak Annam and Frances shone like diamonds and I will forever remember their caring compassion and be so grateful.