"My Ward 24 experience"

On the 2nd of August I was transferred to James Cook Hospital because a scan showed I had a Subdural Hematoma. After being admitted to Ward 24 things moved quickly and I was readied for surgery. Being almost unable to use my right leg and arm I had grave doubts about any positive outcome and was expecting a long and torturous recovery, if all went well.

Three hours later I woke up in the recovery ward with the recovery nurse holding my right hand, which I was squeezing, hard, I also was able to move my leg as normal. My total emotional relief must have rubbed off on the nurse who got my wife on their mobile for me to talk to. She was waiting for me as a came back up from the recovery ward, thanks to your receptionist who told her where to wait.

I stayed on Ward 24 until discharged on the 5th August in the afternoon. Words alone cannot convey watching the wonderful care and respect shown to every patient from my vantage point of total peace, caused by the fantastic result of my own surgery.

All the staff I had the good fortune to meet are a credit to their profession, I could name most of them, although they know who they are I will always remember the humour they bring to a very stressful, difficult and in some cases unappreciated job.

Can I thank the maroon and yellow angels, head nurses and night staff for keeping me peaceful and safe, the anaesthetist for detailing the procedure, the surgeon for their cure, the physios and cognitive staff for checking if I still had any functions left and finally a member of staff who possesses that rare quality of observational assessment and quick wit needed to keep it all moving in the right direction, yet with the ability to add in a light hearted side to a stressful workload.. My whole family wish to thank you, including my dog that waited for dad to come home by the gate, without you I would not be able to write this.