I recently spent three weeks in our area hospitals in Castlegar, Nelson and Trail. Add to that my need for home care and support for the last while, and I can say that I’ve gained an intimate, first-hand knowledge about some of the workings of our Interior Health Authority.
Their organization has discovered the fact that I have contracted a cancer and I find myself becoming more than somewhat reliant upon them for care, treatment, direction, support, guidance and a host of other needs.
I’ve been hospitalized before for shorter stays that involved more action. Because of all that I was dealing with this time around, it felt like I was spending a lot of time lying in bed and just being. As part of their job and routine, nurses, care aides, doctors, various therapists, technicians and other staff would help break my monotony to do whatever needed to be done.
Once my health allowed me to start noticing what was happening around me, something became obvious. These folks — as IHA staff working together to restore my health and well-being — were not only addressing my physical needs but they were going well beyond that. Almost collectively, I saw staff reaching out to me and showing interest and compassion. By a comment, a smile, an action, I saw the care of the staff coming through.
From the nurse giving us her phone number if we needed coaching with a catheter issue to the doctor calling just to check in is showing us that people do indeed care. Our health care staff aren’t just doing their job for the money. They care for and about the rest of us. How can we thank them for all they are doing for us? We appreciate you, health care workers.
Gerry Sobie and family
Castlegar