I had an experience that I’d like to share with my fellow Yukoners. Back in April of this year, I was unfortunate to have my appendix burst.
Within one and a half hours, I was on the operating table to have it removed. When I woke up, I was almost immediately greeted by a lovely nurse whose smile and manners assured me I was in good hands.
I had never had to stay in a hospital before. I woke up with tubes in my arm and stomach. All of it seemed overwhelming. I was confused and apprehensive and in pain.
The nurse spoke to me and assessed my situation. I remember being quite groggy at the time. This angel checked my vitals, administered some pain meds and assured me that I would be fine. Throughout the night, she came in regularly to see that I was pain-free and comfortable. This care continued with the day-shift nurse, then again with the night-shift nurse.
All were very friendly and always had a smile to share. They asked a lot of questions and when they were satisfied that I was OK, they would leave and tend to their many other patients.
After recovering a little, I received news that I would have to return to hospital for a more major surgery. I certainly wasn’t keen to have another operation, but I knew it was needed. I knew too that I would have to stay longer than the five days I did with my first surgery.
I admit I was worried, but one thing that took away any fears or doubt was the fact that I knew I had a great surgeon and that Whitehorse General had the best nurses anywhere. I knew I would be well taken care of. I can’t express in words how incredible all the staff were, especially the amazing nurses in the surgical ward.
They made all the difference in making my recovery as pleasant as possible. I hope that I told each and every nurse that cared for me how amazing they were. Nursing is not a job, it is a calling. It takes an incredible person to become a nurse in my opinion.
I had to rely on everything from them during the first three days after my first operation. It took nine days of care after the second operation, five days of which I was in a lot of discomfort. We take all the simple things in life for granted: getting out of bed, putting on a sock, walking 10 feet. Everything was a major task and without a nurse’s help, I was simply staying in bed. I had no choice.
Now that I’ve recovered more, I’ve had time to reflect on my stay and what the future might bring. Many people have asked me about my surgeries. One thing I’m sure to tell everyone is that I received the best care possible, in my opinion, from the best nursing team in Canada.
All the hospital staff displayed a professionalism that I have not often seen in my life. Only one thing makes me sad, and that’s the fact that I can only say thank you. They deserve much more than that.
Gerry Mussgnug
Whitehorse