High five your health care provider - May 10, 2019

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My heart rate went to about 140. It seemed like the irregular heart rate kept getting more frequent and lasted longer.

I collapsed once while standing and passed out once sitting on a chair. We called 9-1-1 and went to [Abbotsford Regional Hospital].

I want to mention a few of the names of the people who have been especially kind and helpful to me. First there is Dr. Bhugra, the cardiologist in charge at that time. There was another cardiologist, Dr. Gusbi, whom I had met before. Of the nurses I remember Celeste, the first one to help me when I came into Emergency.

When I came into Emergency by Ambulance the RN on duty was Susan.

I suddenly went into severe AFib. The nurse came to look at my numbers which were too high.

I was afraid I was having a stroke. At one point I felt so poorly, I said to the nurse – “I think I am dying.”

Then suddenly the room was full of people around my bed.

I don’t know who decided to insert a temporary pacemaker in my shoulder so my numbers could finally come down – I was just ever so glad they [did].

Kaitlyn was there during the day and seemed to go out of her way to be helpful.

I also went by ambulance to the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster and they installed an electric pacemaker.

On my return to ARH by special Patient Transport, I was welcomed by a nurse. Next morning, a nurse called Timoko gave me a very thorough check and did a great job of taking care of me until I checked out.

I was in the Royal Columbian Emergency Department. Despite being so crowded, I found the doctors, nurses, technicians etc. doing their absolute best. Caring and attentive.

I had a baby delivered at Surrey Memorial Hospital.

I want to say a special thank you to my nurse on that day – Jeannie, and Hannah who assisted her. I was blessed to have them by me. Together, I delivered a beautiful son.

To Jeannie, thank you very much and may your sunny disposition and care never depart from you. Thanks to your boss who gave me the courage to push out that baby in less than no time.

We are proud of nurses like you. Thank you once again.

I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the care provided by the oncology ward staff during the two stints that I stayed in the ward in April. Both stays were unexpected and very trying circumstances for myself.

At all times, I was being cared for in a very professional manner, but over and above it all, was the cheerful and sunny disposition that all of the staff carried themselves in dispensing their doses of appropriate care. I have shared ward mates, and I have observed professionals at work, to alleviate and soften pains and sufferings to patients who are most in need at the most critical path of their healing process.

The atmosphere in the ward is open and welcoming, and staffed with dedicated, service oriented professionals, which, raises the spirits of patients such as myself that we are not trekking alone in this difficult journey for our health and wellness.

I will be remiss without mentioning the food which was dutifully served every day. Feeding oncology patients, who are usually appetite impaired, is an onerous task. But there were a lot of thought and preparations made behind each meal, which were easily ingestible.

All of these indicate a strong management, supporting the ward and ward staff. Obviously management policies are the road map to better services and maintain the standard of care going forward. Strong management notwithstanding, the face of the ward still is the staffs, who interface with the patients. Without their buy-in, their professional dedication and their sunny disposition, the atmosphere of the ward could be drastically changed.

Individually, the staff may be dedicated and professional, but collectively as a group, you are a strong pillar in the community, providing critical medical care to the segment of the community, at a time that they need [it] most.

My mother was a patient at Surrey Memorial Hospital in March. Unfortunately, she passed away. My family and I are deeply thankful for the staff at the hospital, especially at the ER where my mom arrived and had to be resuscitated. We were able to spend extra time with her thanks to the effort of the team at Surrey Memorial. My family was hoping to send thank you cards to the staff at the ER, ICU and the Oncology unit but I wasn't sure where to send the cards or how to go about it. Thank you very much!