Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Family pay tribute to intensive care heroes
Caring team ease the pain of losing dad at just 51
The family of a beloved grandfather who sadly passed away after suffering bleeding in his oesophagus have paid tribute to the medical team at Monklands Hospital who cared for him during his final days.
Shane Donald Henderson, 51, died on June 17 and his loved ones wanted to give something back to the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) staff. They collected donations totalling £850 and Shane’s daughter Toni Louise presented the cheque to the delighted team.
Toni Louise, 20, told the Advertiser:
“My dad was in the care of the ICU for six days and was in a coma.
“Because of the coronavirus, our contact with him was limited. One day we were allowed to stand outside while a staff member dressed head-to-toe in
PPE put her phone to dad’s ear and let us speak to him and tell him how much we loved him. “During this very hard time, the ICU team were amazing as they helped us stay in contact with my dad and kept us updated with his condition.
“When we were told to head to the hospital as he wasn’t going to make it, the doctor sat us down with the nurse who looked after him to explain everything that was going on. “I then asked for my dad’s house coat to be placed on him before we went in to see him. “When we got into his room they let us sit with him, speak to him and tell him we loved him until it was time for the machines to be switched off.”
The kindness shown to Monklands man Shane’s family by the hospital staff didn’t end there, though, as Toni
Louise explained: “After my dad passed peacefully they gave us a box which contained a lock of his hair, a small heart tracing, three knitted hearts, three family trees with his finger prints and a sympathy card from the ICU. “When the woman came back she handed me the box and my dad’s belongings before giving me another red heart, but this time she had a teddy bear in her hand and said, ‘give this to the baby and tell her her grandad left it for her’. “It won’t say anything like this in their job description which shows how heartfelt, kind and caring they were; they work hard every single day and are
still the most amazing people.
“For six long days they tried everything to save my dad’s life when, in reality, he shouldn’t have made it through the first night. “No words could ever explain our gratitude and our deepest thanks go to everyone who helped my dad and my family. God bless you all.”
Shane leaves behind three children
– Toni Louise, Charles John, 15, and
Charley Catherine, 23, and was the proud grandfather of one- year- old
Antonia Maria May.
Toni Louise said: “My dad was a remarkable man and we will miss him very much.
“His family meant the world to him and he was an inspiration to us all.”