"7 months in hospital, so many people who made a difference"

I was diagnosed with severe Guillain Barre Syndrome in February 2025. I spent 88 days in intensive care. The staff were mostly amazing! I can’t say the same as when I was in coma, as my mum had to raise a complaint. I wasn’t aware of anything at that point so I will ignore that time.

When I was in my 3rd month, my recovery went really fast and the staff really helped me at this time. Nurses that come to mind are Becca, Caity, Savannah, Cat, Gabby, Amanda/Panda, Danielle, Dionne, Hazel, Michelle, Stuart, Gordon, George, Scott… I apologise for not remembering everyone as they were all wonderful and some of them featured strongly in my hallucinations. Dionne even helped me arrange a birthday party for my daughter. That meant a lot to me. I am so sorry to the nurses that I made cry with my first words … Cat!

After 88 long days, and I was taken off ventilator, I was moved to Thistle Suite Bellfield specialist rehabilitation centre. My first night was not good because I was feeling so ill but Lyndsay really helped to calm me and help in anyway she could. She continued to be a friendly face and shoulder to cry on, even being one of my hairdressers on site.

Once I had settled and started to feel at ease, I met the amazing team at Specialist Rehabilitation. Nothing was ever a bother and always came with a smiley face.

The student nurse Michelle was always there to tweeze my eyebrows and offering to go to the shops to get me food. Meegan spent many hours letting me moan, doing my hair and even did a facial on me one night. She became my personal IT assistant by continually fixing my internet issues.

The first night I met Tina, she tied a toothbrush to my hand with a bandage so that I could brush my teeth by myself for the first time. This meant a lot to me.

Lynne P was my go to coffee maker and always available to chat about random tv shows that no one had ever heard of except us.

Lynda and Nadine were my ninjas that managed to sneak into my room at night without waking me. Lynda even brought me almond milk when my milk supplies were running low. Nadine is my gentle touch nurse. I always felt safe in her hands.

Alannah, I could spend hours chatting to her and would still have more to say. Such a kind heart. Jen, I wish her years of happiness in her new home, she deserves it. Thank you for shaving my legs 😂.

Danielle, always available to help with a kind face and kind words. Look after those kittens! Amanda, always able to entertain me during the night shift and put a smile on my face. And Monia, your pasta lessons and caring nature, I am glad to have met you.

I have to thank the nursing assistants: Nicole, Natalie, Liz, Gillian (bought me pants), Gayle (took personal care to the next level), Suzie, Francis, Sharon, Lynne, Carla (held my hand in ambulance) and Angel.

During my stay, I visited my workplace for an event. This was my first outing and I trained to do transfers for 2 weeks before going. When I reached the event, I was so pleased to see 3 members of staff that had come along on their days off to support me. Jen (physio), Meegan and Carla, you are amazing people.

My therapy team; Kirsty, Jen, Rebecca, Kate, Claire, Audra, Linda, Morgan and Paddy… I would not be walking out of here if it wasn’t for you! Audra I want to take you home to braid my hair forever. Audra and Kate were the first people to reach me when I had my fall. You both took control of the situation and calmed me. Unfortunately I broke my hip.

Claire and Kirsty took the brunt of my bad moods during my recovery… I am sorry ❤️ I know that it was for my own good. Rebecca cheered me up with dancing and hugs.

Paddy personally planted me a selection of veg seeds in my very own planter when I was struggling with my blood pressure and sneaked it into my room while I was sleeping. I will not forget his kindness.

And how could I leave without saying goodbye to my morning wake up call from Craig. He walked away from the biscuits just long enough to wake me up every day and attempt to put a smile on my face.

After 7 months in hospital, I am due to go home next week. I take home with me, my ICU diary. During my stay, I was aware that a diary was being filled in. I didn’t realise how beneficial it would be. I stayed awake late the night that I received it and read every single entry. It gave me the push I needed to get over my hip fracture. I hope all the ICU nurses are aware of how powerful their kind words were right at the time I needed to read it.

I would like to finish this by saying, please please please improve the vegan menu because I have lived on the same meals on repeat since I had my NG tube removed. Also, can someone please come up with a way to fix my tracheostomy site because it has been 4 months and 2 infections since it was taken out and it has still not healed.

I am leaving hospital still in my wheelchair with limited walking time with Zimmer. I would be much further on if I hadn’t broke my hip. I still can’t feel my feet but they have some movement. I am still in a lot of pain. But I know that I will recover, which is a lot more than some can say.

I have much more to say but I’m running out of words… Thank you!