A band of angels at Nanaimo hospital
We’ve asked for your stories regarding what you feel have been acts of kindness in your life. Here is one of those stories:
Hopefully, you’ll find space for a shoutout to an alltoo-frequently maligned segment of our society in communities across Canada. I refer to those who work in the health-care sector, about whom I have often seen horror stories in the media, and many vociferous complaints on letters pages. Bad news stories abound of patients suffering because of inadequacies of health-care systems and providers. Thankfully, my experience was completely different to what I’ve repeatedly read about for so many years.
My wife was recently hospitalized undergoing a six-week course of heavy-duty antibiotics. Susan was fighting serious blood, bladder and colon infections that wreaked havoc on her 81-year-old body and mind. The bacteria in her blood combined with some medications caused delirium, intensifying her pre-existing dementia. It had previously been a short-term memory issue that we were able to handle at home, but became a completely different degree of confusion. She underwent a multitude of different tests, with no stone left unturned. Complication on top of complication was discovered, and dealt with in the biggest uphill battle we faced in nearly a half-century together. Despite all the valiant efforts of all concerned, Susan lost her brave battle on Jan. 10.
During her 45 days in hospital, I spent about eight hours a day in her isolated room — and 33 hours at the end — but there is no other place in the world I would sooner have been. During those approximately 400 hours, I saw first hand the wonderful staff at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. Susan’s every need was taken care of in a dedicated and loving way by fantastic teams of doctors, nurses, aides, technicians, therapists, cleaners, cooks, porters, administrators, ambulance crews and many more behind the scenes whom we never meet. Susan’s GP was a tower of strength, too.
As usual, during the recent festive celebrations, there was a lot of talk about angels. Some were perched atop Christmas trees, but the ones Susan and I encountered during those unforgettable 45 days at NRGH come in all shapes and sizes, every creed and race, all generations and genders. Suddenly, all those extra-loud and mealy-mouthed premiers, parliamentarians, prime ministers, presidents, princes, potentates and pontificating professional pundits whom I used to find so interesting, with their politics of phoney fear and false hopes, have become entirely insignificant and seem to vanish in the haze. We stand in awe of the love and care and highly professional devotion of the band of angels at NRGH. Bernie Smith Parksville
If you want to tell us of your encounter with a random act of kindness, email localnews@timescolonist.com. Include the word “kindness” in the subject field.