Community champion grateful for local health care

Everyday the Richmond Hospital Foundation hears from people about how glad they are that they have their own hospital in Richmond. One of those special people is Christine Brodie.

Christine is a wonderful community champion, and Richmond has been her home since 1977. You may know her through her career as an educator or her work with youth at risk in Richmond School District or through her husband, Mayor Malcolm Brodie. We are very fortunate to have such passionate and dedicated community leaders in our city and, as you’ll read, we are also very fortunate to have such expert care at Richmond Hospital.

In Christine’s own words

“I realize that Richmond is an island city, and we are proud that we take care of each other. When emergencies happen, it’s important to be able to trust the doctors and nurses as much as you would your friends and family with lives that are so precious.

“We live just up the street from Richmond Hospital and I’m thankful for it every day. I couldn’t imagine not having a hospital close by.

“In Spring 2013, I was rushed by ambulance to Richmond Hospital’s Emergency Department with sudden and severe abdominal pain. I was frightened. I had never needed emergency care for myself before.

“It turned out that I was having a severe gallbladder attack, a medical emergency. My case was very complicated. The emergency physician told me that I must have had gallstones for months. I didn’t have any idea that I had gallstones at all until he mentioned that nausea was a common symptom, and one that I had been suffering from for four or five months. I was shocked.

“Being in a hospital, especially in the Emergency Department, can be very nerve-wracking, so the fact that the doctors and nurses made such an effort to engage with me made such a difference.

“The surgeon in charge of my care, Dr. Bruce Allardyce, was great. He went the extra mile and stayed to do my surgery at 11 p.m. because he wanted to operate as soon as possible. Gallstones left long enough cause serious infection, so he and his team stayed late to make sure I was well cared for.

“During shift changes, every nurse took the time to ensure the other had all of the necessary information. I never felt like a name on a chart. I always had the feeling that they were here for me. And since it was voting day for the provincial election, they even gave me a ballot to complete in bed!

“I ended up staying for a full eight days in hospital. For everyone visiting me, it was wonderful that I was so close by. I know that it’s a relief for patients and their families not to have to travel very far.
“Thanks to the team at Richmond Hospital, I was able to get back to a normal life, in good health, and enjoy my retirement.

“Even if you haven’t been to the hospital yourself yet, chances are you know someone who has been there. As Richmond continues to grow and our population ages, the needs of our hospital will grow too. We work like a family in Richmond and really do help and care for each other. That’s why supporting Richmond Hospital is so important. You are truly supporting your community.”