A couple of years ago I had a visit to hospital for a surgical procedure and while it was just day surgery, I freaked out. I was held together by friends who provided amazing support. So imagine my experience this week as I had a simple insect bite, that had become infected and turn into a nasty ulcer hosting a bug that is resistant to just about every medical resource we have available to us, checked after a visit to Emergency a couple of weeks ago.
Results of that visit identified that I had a infection that was highly resistant to standard treatments, the medication I had been prescribed wasn't helping apart from making me nauseous. My visit to the Doctor, ended up with trip to hospital and the first of six treatments of heavy artillery medication that this bug was still sensitive to. Her concern was that while the ulcer was clearing, the infection and the resistant bug were still in my system and needed to be treated properly.
The treatment was delivered via IV and takes about two and half hours per treatment. By the end off the Monday the medical team had consulted just about everyone and mention was made that the best was going to achieved given the the number of doses within the 3 day span, if I was admitted.
Now I have only had a one stay in hospital that I remember, and I was only 5years old and that was for Tonsils, so my anxiousness level could be easily seen to rise. However something was different, the approach of the team around me, reduced my fear and anxiousness, I woke the next day, packed a bag, toothbrush, PJ's and even 3 pair of undies (made sure that they were in good nick too), loaded the Ipad with a few extra Netflix movies, the nuraphones and charging cables. I headed off to the Hospital and the Hospital on the Home team, for the 8am appointment for the 2nd dose, then the 11am appointment with Nuclear Medicine.
The HITH team are amazing, working in a cramped space they were the initial team I came in contact with, and they were amazing. Funny too, so made me feel at ease, and it made it easier because I didn't have to constantly retell the story of what was happening. Dr Peter Bortz, became the next familiar face, and his care and attention was tremendous. HITH was my home base for the first two days and their concern about how to the noise regime was to be managed best was how I ended up in a bed. It became a case that was outside the capacity of their team, given the time frames required. Beds are a scarce resource at this hospital, so you wait for one to become available and because of the bug and its treatment, I required a bed that was able to be isolated from others.
My visit to Nuclear Medicine was for bone scans of the chest and collarbone, as the ulcer rested on the right collarbone and is so nasty it can invade the bones, if it did this the treatment would be seriously aggressive to get int out of the bones. Once the scans were complete it was back to HITH and then escorted to the Surgical Ward and admittance. Bed 1 was to be my home for the next two nights and three days.
The ward under the care of Denise Henderson, who retires next week, is remarkable, and this is where I come undone a little bit. The care and attention to detail is remarkable, it has to be of course, but its still remarkable, this is built on each person in that team, from Head Nurse to Doctors, to catering, cleaning and everyone in between. Each person in this remarkable establishment left an impression that was positive and allayed my fears. I can't fault the work or the care. Each of the nurses who were part of my team - Pria, Ngambega, Nikki, and Shaun, friendly, gentle and caring - funny even. Rebecca and her constant care around medication, the social work and dietician concerned about weight loss and hearing my life story of recent years, and its impact on me and those around me. The head of catering checking to see if the meals were ok - you can't fault it, the food was tasty and varied. It may not be gourmet, but its healthy and i'm pretty sure they were trying to fatten me up in just a few days.
Then there were Denise and Peter. Denise always cheery, concerned and giving me the kick up the bum that nearly everyone else has delivered as well. Peter, well he has a manner which puts you ease and while I may have raised Joshua and Sarah when they were were young, I never expected to be under Peters care. I sort of lost it today when he shared photos of Josh and Sarah, remarkable.
I sit here a little teary, this is not how I expected my week to go, I have shared much of in with friends already. I have heard many stories of others experiences with the local hospital and I certainly am concerned about the state of the building, and thats our fault, because we always want bright and shiny and ignore the facilities we have and their need for refurbishment. When we hear its being fixed up we then fail to monitor whats being done and asking if its good enough. But pretty and new means nothing if the heart isn't working. While our hospital is tired, cramped and in need of work (lots of work) its heart, its people are remarkable, compassionate, empathetic, dedicated, and hard working.
All I can say is thank you Team Griffith Base Hospital, for the remarkable experience of your care, concern and compassion. You have made my week and your concern for my well being has been remarkable.
Now I have missed some names, because there were so many people who are around for me, from admin staff (I now know my BUPA membership number), to nurses and others.
No comments:
Post a Comment