Staff Kudos: “He tried to get better and you all helped”

The care required for patients in their final stages of life centers much around compassion and sensitivity to last wishes. After a patient who was cared for in the Transitional Care Unit (TCU) passed away, a family member wrote in to express her gratitude for the excellent, thoughtful care he and his family received.

Here is her story…

“My uncle was transferred from VGH to an internal medicine bed in the TCU on November 17, 2015. I want to thank all of the medical staff for the care that he received before passing away December 5.

I visited him every week and was always greeted pleasantly by someone at the front desk. There are many people who cared for my uncle and I wish I knew all their names but I will comment on some with whom I had particular contact.

Marlene Geraghty was a wonderful point person who I could always count on. Hedi Thompson was so committed to assisting my uncle’s mobility and finding the right supports to help him. Dr. Sutcliffe, Jamile Allahyari and Dr. MacCallum tended to his needs in a clear and caring way. When it became apparent that his condition was rapidly deteriorating, both Dr. Sutcliffe and Dr. MacCallum called me at home in Victoria. I could hear in their voices a high degree of sensitivity to the most difficult decisions that must be made for end-of-life care. They had my uncle’s best interests at heart. In the end, Dr. MacCallum made the right decision for the right reasons. I appreciated it so much.

The icing on the cake, for me personally, was Pinder Bains.  What a fine young woman and excellent nurse. I am so very glad that she was there when we came to pick up my uncle’s belongings and to pay our final respects to him. Pinder had just the right words and tone to speak to me in a way that was comforting.  I will always remember her.

I know that many nurses took the time to speak to my uncle, to hold his hand, and to look at the memory book that I made for him.  Glory Vu was in attendance when he died and phoned me to let me know as soon as he passed.  She offered to hold my uncle in place until we could come for a final farewell. She is an angel. Although my uncle was in the company of people that he did not know very well, he was not with strangers when he died; he was cared for.

To everyone who took the time to help my uncle and to make him feel comfortable, I wish to express my deepest thanks.  He tried to get better and you all helped.  He is with his wife now, who passed only two months before him, and that is what he really wanted.

May 2016 be filled with promise for all of you and your families.”