"Each and everyone of you makes a difference"

I went into the RAH a week ago for a planned abdominal hysterectomy, removal of ovaries, tube and anterior and posterior pelvic floor repair. As anyone will understand, I was quite nervous.

The week before, I was seen by the lovely team in the pre-op clinic who were so professional, kind and caring and made me feel unique and not a name or a number.  This was my first meeting with Dr Bolagabrada, he was extremely pleasant and professional through the whole consultation , explaining everything to me in great length ensuring he gave me the time to ask any question and was genuinely interested in me as a patient. I was extremely touched when 2 days later he phoned my mobile to check I understood everything and didn’t have any questions. I feel he went above and beyond what was required of him and made me feel so much trust in his ability that the fear of the surgery was reduced immensely.

Then on the Thursday I arrived in ward 32. This was the start of a week long stay which had not been expected to be so long. I was met by a lovely lady who admitted me prior to my surgery and did everything she could to allay my fears, I wish I could remember her name, but thank you.

I then was taken to theatre reception where I met Paul, one of the anaesthetic nurses who was so reassuring, kind and caring that I forgot my fears. He held my hand till I was asleep, I appreciated this so much, thank you. The man that was tasked to keep me alive and sleeping was Roy with his lovely female assistant, again, you will never know how much you helped me that morning and thank-you for looking after me and getting me safely through, I am so grateful again, thank you.  I was then looked after by a young lady who was pregnant with her fourth child, sorry your name has disappeared from my memory, but thank-you for keeping me warm, hydrated and out of pain, I really appreciated it.

I was then taken back to ward 32 , where my pride for the work my colleagues do was reiterated by the care, compassion, professionalism and humour throughout my stay.  The nurses were rushed off their feet, they were running everywhere looking after so many different specialities that in an ideal world would not be in a Gyn ward.  They made sure you were fed, comfortable , pain free and understood all that was going on and even with how busy they were, they never ever made you feel you were a nuisance or a problem and would pop their heads in the door while running past just to ensure we were all ok.  I have worked in the NHS for many years and heard so many people complain of the NHS, but ward 32 nursing team, doctors, cleaners were all absolutely the best and have imprinted in my heart their love for caring for their patients over the week I was in as a patient.

My aim is over the next few weeks to write to all that looked after me to thank you all personally. It’s the least I feel I can do as you proved it was not just a job for you. Rebekah, you have an amazing team which must be a testament to your leadership. I would have loved to get to know you more. The list is not exhaustive and if I have forgotten anyone I’m sorry.

Karen, Debbie, Claire, Linda, Anne, Nicola, Joanna, Susie, Louise, Julia, (Staff nurses) Lyndsey, Diana, Wendy (HCA) Marzena and Stefanie wow, what can I say, I”m so delighted that you have chosen nursing as a career, you will go far, reach for the stars. The cleaners especially Caroline and the other lady whose name I never got, you keep the ward spotless, thank-you.

And last but not least the medical team, everyone was so kind and caring but I would like to give a special mention to Ross FY2 who was there to take me through a couple of nerve racking days when my recovery did not go as planned, you are amazing and you are a great asset to your profession.

I’m writing this sitting in my own bed, glad to be home but missing every single one of you. Keep doing what you are doing because you are all amazing and each and everyone of you makes a difference to your patients' lives and I can testify to that. I will never be able to repay you for your care and your kindness. You are all angels and deserve so much more recognition than you get at times for all the hard work you do. Thank you does not feel enough.