Yellow Allamanda
Indigo Reef
West End
12th March 2014
Letter to the Editor,
The Anguillian.
PO Box 98
The Valley
By email to the anguillian@anguillanet.com
Ref: Princess Alexandra Hospital
Dear Sir, please publish this note of thanks and appreciation for all the good people at The Princess Alexandra Hospital and all the medical professionals who recently cared for our son Jude.
On Monday 24th February Jude, aged 11, was admitted to the Hospital for an emergency appendectomy under Dr Rona Hodge. 24 hours previously we were in NYC and 24 hours before that we were in Milan, Italy starting our return journey from our skiing trip. We were very happy to be home.
The initial testing, Ultra Sound scan and diagnosis were carried out that morning at the Hughes Medical Centre. Dr Hodge gave us clear, compassionate and professional advice and scheduled the operation to remove Jude’s appendix at 4pm that same afternoon. Jude’s mother, travelling at the time in India, being understandably completely distraught, was ably reassured by Dr Hodge by telephone and arrangements were made to admit Jude to the pediatric ward at the Princess Alexandra Hospital immediately. Thanks to all the staff at Hughes Medical centre for their accuracy, diligence and care.
From our arrival at the hospital our experience was nothing short of excellent. The receptionist was expecting us and directed us to the ward. With a cheerful wave and maternal smile to Jude she handed us over to the ward nursing staff.
Jude was escorted to the ward and directed to his allocated bed. We found the ward immaculate, well lit, cooled and very well maintained. Sponge Bob and friends (by Michelle) who decorate the walls immediately dispelled most of our apprehension. Jude was carefully informed of the plan by the nursing staff and how the IV works and what was about to happen. The calm, care, efficiency and authority with which this initiation was delivered were at a better level than I have ever experienced anywhere else in the world. The only negative in all of this from Jude’s perspective was his horror on realizing his hospital gown had no back to it.
Hooked up to the drip and with all his vitals measured and then securely tucked in (modesty intact), we awaited the arrival of the Anesthetist. He arrived on schedule and further built up our confidence. Jude had not previously experienced a general anesthetic and we were both very nervous. These nerves were duly vanquished with his confident, informed, expert advice.
At 4pm the Operating Room staff arrived to carry Jude to the OR where Dr Hodge was ready to perform the procedure. The theatre orderly was so pleasant, friendly and expert in navigating his gurney, that I was as relaxed as I could possibly be to hand over my compadre to him for this life saving procedure.
During the next 90 minutes I paced incessantly and frequently interrupted the ward staff with asinine questions, Nurse Brooks even peeked into the OR to reassure me that they were indeed still in there doing their good work.
At the end Dr Hodge telephoned me from the OR to say all went to plan and they had closed him up and were recovering him. She said he would soon be back on the ward. Thank you again, Dr Hodge, for going above and beyond.
Prayers, tears, thanks, wonder, the full gamut of emotions flowed as they wheeled Jude back. Waking to complain and whine for a bit (usually such a grating sound was sweet music to my ears on this occasion), he was gently transferred to his own bed and went straight back to sleep. The Anesthetist, who had accompanied him on his return from theater, satisfied himself that his work was well done and left Jude to sleep it off.
Dr Hodge and the nursing staff declared they were all very happy with the procedure and left Jude to rest.
Lesley, Jude’s mother, was inundated with close up pictures of the wound via whatsapp and with detailed text bulletins. Her trial was greater than all of us having to stay put in India, albeit in constant communication. She exercised extraordinary strength of character by not jumping on an airplane to try to come home, thereby avoiding getting lost in the transport system for 2 days and not being able to support us. Kudos Mama.
The following day and a half were filled with visitors for Jude; including his teacher from Omololu, Miss Graham, armed with cards from his classmates, our friends with gifts, Fr Paul and others; with meeting other patients, many of whom we discovered we are friends with their relatives (this is Anguilla of course) and with Jude’s roomie, Salim, who kept us entertained; his lovely Mum, Catherine, who helped Jude get on his feet – get well soon Salim; with visits from friends on the staff, Dr Guinto and Dr Singh Minott who made time each day to call by; Dylan and Riley and to Janine and Nandi who visited and later provided wonderful convalescent support. Thank you.
The nursing staff continued to monitor Jude closely and administered the prescribed antibiotics and as required pain killers with impressive gentleness and efficiency throughout his stay.
The performance of the Hospital housekeeping staff, security and the catering personnel showed a level of professionalism and personal attention that I have not enjoyed anywhere before.
Jude left Hospital on Wednesday morning and with Dr Hodge’s blessing returned to school the following Tuesday. He continues to please his doctor up until now.
In closing we wish to thank everyone that makes The Princess Alexandra Hospital such a special place every day. We are blessed that Jude managed to hang on to his appendix until we returned home. We just can’t imagine how awful it would have been to be condemned to a hospital in some anonymous corner of the world where nobody would know us. Our Hospital and the dedicated hard working team that make it all happen deserve the highest praise and support from us all.
Thank you for taking such good care of us.
Yours faithfully,
Rory, Lesley and Jude.
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
