Good to give thanks
I believe there are two kinds of people in the world ¬ those who take people and things for granted and those who take people and things with a deep sense of gratitude.
I am happy to say that I belong to the second group. “It is good to give thanks …” it says in Psalm 92:1 and with that in mind I am writing this letter to thank the doctors and nurses at the Glace Bay General Hospital, the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney and the QEII Hospital in Halifax for their commitment, care and concern in helping save my life.
On Sept. 17, our daughter (Kathy) drove my wife and I to Sydney from Halifax to visit my sister (Mrs. Bruce Hudson) who was in the hospital due to a stroke. We left the hospital, drove to Glace Bay and when I got out of the car I almost fell to the ground with severe chest pains.
I immediately took three shots of nitroglycerin but the pain did not recede. I was taken directly to the general hospital and from there was moved by ambulance to the regional hospital in Sydney. From the Sydney hospital I went by ambulance to the QEII. The three paramedics who accompanied me were simply wonderful. They helped calm my nerves and fears, and offered me encouragement and hope.
In the QEII, I was taken to a room for the treadmill test. Suddenly I collapsed and my heart stopped beating for about four minutes. The cardiac team were simply fantastic. They immediately gave me CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). They had to circulate oxygenated blood to my brain and other organs by pushing down on my heart hard and fast. Despite a few broken ribs, the team got my heart beating again.
Mere words are simply inadequate to express my deep and profound gratitude to all those who helped in my recovery. They have created great and wonderful memories for my wife and I and family, and my sisters (Lena, Joyce, Susie and Effie).
There are many ways of wishing people well. One of my favourites is an old Inuit blessing taught to me by my Inuit friend from Goose Bay in Labrador: “May you have warmth in your igloo, oil in your lamp and peace in your heart.” A simple wish that says it all, for all of you wonderful “Earth angels.” H. Roy White Halifax