“Thank God I wasn’t successful.”

When a husband lost his wife, he lost his faith in VGH, too. Eight years later, severe pneumonia led to his own admission to VGH — and he was angry. Despite his best efforts, he remained at VGH and, looking back, he’s glad his protests didn’t succeed. In his letter to us, he explains why:

“Eight years ago my wife and soul mate died while in the care of VGH. At the time I was very resentful and wrote a severely worded condemnation of VGH and its protocols.

I have mellowed my feelings since. I now write a very different letter to the director of care for VGH.

I knowingly avoided your hospital and when I had trouble breathing I checked myself into Richmond General Hospital.

I went into semi-consciousness and woke the next morning in VGH in the ICU (they transported me during the night). I was angry about this and though my treatment (I believe the term is endothoracic tube) rendered me mute, tried to write numerous notes as to why I shouldn’t be there.

Thank God I wasn’t successful.

Not only did your treatment clear my lungs of a very severe pneumonia, but the staff, ICU nurses, doctors and nurses in the recovery ward were not only good at what they did, and performed their duties well, but there was an overwhelming feeling of kindness in everyone I had contact with.

The “hospitaler” system sure has proven to me that a hospital, even VGH, can be people friendly.

I thank you and congratulate you on the success of your efforts to accomplish this.”