"The theatre staff were tremendous"

Having recently been discharged from Ward 56 at the GRI, I thought I’d share my experience on the off chance anyone due to go there - and nervous about it - could take some positivity from it. I’d also like to thank the excellent staff, something to take heart from too.

I had a cancellation spot & was admitted the day before my radical hysterectomy. I’d never had an operation, had no idea what to expect & felt like I’d hit a wall. I needn’t have worried so hard. I was settled into a side room, informed about what would happen over the next few hours & taken very well care of by all staff that I then came across. Dinner, cups of tea, a chat, you name it. I’d particularly like to mention Alice & Sybil at this point - whether it was hospital related, a lunch recommendation or the fact we were both vertically challenged, thank you ladies, your care & attention made such a difference to my stay :) 

On the day of my operation, my Surgeon & my anaesthetist both came separately to have a chat. I was due down first, but there was a blip. I was taken to theatre… and promptly sent back upstairs as no-one had done any blood work for me. Not ideal, but these things happen. This was frustrating, of course, but again, the staff were fantastic. Bloods were done promptly, I was kept informed & supported again & after not too long a wait, I was taken back downstairs. 

The theatre staff were tremendous. I’d already met my anaesthetist who’d come to explain the process to me, the fabulous nurses who came to take me through were a constant source of support when the nerves started but never let me dwell. We had banter, we laughed, a lovely wee nurse gave me a hug as we got started & as I drifted off the last things I remember were very positive. Not where I thought I would be at all. 

Fast forward a few hours & I woke up back on the ward, quite comfortable & regularly checked on by attentive, considerate, caring staff. My Surgeon stopped by a few times & other surgeons stopped by on their rounds too, just to check in.

Over the next few days, familiar faces like Alice stopped by & I got to know more of the ladies that work there. These women know how to build you back up, they really do. They work so hard, yet nothing’s ever too much. They’re like your friend, your sister, your Mammy even. They see you just as you are & they pick you up & get you going. They really aren’t paid what they are worth. I couldn’t have bought care like I had from all of them.

And then… there was Mary. What can I say about Mary..? She’s something else. You know that person that will keep you right, when you’re not at yourself? That’s her. It’s fine, she’s got ye. She absolutely had every one of us, yet gave us that oomph to be getting on too. Mary met each of us just where we were & brought us on. She was knowledgable, always on her feet, on the go, solid & very much in demand. I noticed that many of the other women on the ward liked the way she did things too. I can’t disagree. 

Mary, you shine. You really do. You did my box in every single day, but I’ll concede - just this once -  that you’re an absolute star. We need more Marys in the world. Your total care & attention was just the ticket & the craic worked wonders for me mentally, you made me feel so much more like myself & gave me that wee bit normality back. It was an absolute pleasure & I’m thankful for you. I totally appreciate you, I hope your bosses do too.