Story of the husband of a patient: “A pat on the shoulder”

I was a very long way for us. Now, we are happy that the last chemotherapy is catching. Not so long ago, it was another story. The lab values were always worse and he was also sick of his chemotherapy.

During the next consultation Dr. V told us honestly that there were no good perspectives. But my husband did not want to give up. “I want to try it once. I want to fight one more time” told he. I didn’t think that he would tell this, but Dr. V. had listened to him and understood why he want to get on and he told us this during the latest consultation. And we went for it, together. Dr. V, my husband and me. It was difficult but we were so happy when Dr. V. told us after the set of chemotherapy that the chemotherapy catch on. The doctor told him this personally, give him a pat on the shoulder and thank him for keeping so much courage and hope. This was a special moment for my husband not only the listening ear but also the recognition of the doctor.

Story of a healthcare provider: “It suited her really well”

Mrs. B. came in for her chemo treatment this morning. She has been here for a while. She is a proud lady and she had a wig now. I had seen it immediately. It was really good. My colleague did her therapy today but I have taken the time to go inside and give a compliment. You felt that it did her really good. It was nice to see that this made her happy. Dignity is important. It was a big step for her to take a wig. She thanked me for the compliment when I went home. She beamed as she went through a very difficult period in her life.

Story of a patient in long-term isolation: “The gossip magazine”

When I was admitted to hospital I had several people on the floor every day: doctors, nurses, psychologist, dermatologist, dietitian, family, … All those people always came in with one question: how is it? (what are the complaints, what is on the program, which examinations have to be done). Always that medical, it came out of my ears … And then there was my Mangomoment of the day: the logistics team came to clean my room, make a bed. Those people were the only ones with who I could have a normal conversation. Usually they were with two and the conversatios were about gossips in the magazines, new shoes in advertising, perfume, problems with the children, etc. I found it blessed. Just listen to and chat with them. The conversations always made me laugh and I did not have to think about cancer for 10 minutes.

The story of a caregiver: “Tightly packed”

A man had been in isolation for a long time due to reduced immunity and contamination with a resistant bacterium. He also had several pressure ulcers that made no progress. He wanted to say goodbye to his grandchildren as he hadn’t seen them for a long time because of his isolation. The doctor allowed that his children could visit him. The children were “tightly packed” and the necessary precautions were taken. It was so nice for the patient, he wept for joy. The youthfulness and enthusiasm of the children might have given him back the strength and courage to fight and a few weeks later he could go home.

Story of a care provider in training: “The room”

Mrs. B. is a highly educated lady who has been hospitalized in the rehabilitation ward after a stroke. Because of the disorder she ended up in a wheelchair and her memory leaves her occasionally. The loss of her independence does not make it easy for her. One day I entered her room and I noticed that something was bothering her. “The room here is too small. I could do much better if the bed is different in the room, “she said with a sad face. I went to the colleague nurses to put the bed in another direction. It became a bit puzzling but it was a fantastic plan. At the end of my internship, I got a hug from Mrs. B. She was so grateful for adjusting the room.

Story of breast cancer patient: “Standing by me”

I have already had surgery for breast cancer, now it’s for the second time. It has been a difficult process. The moment you “feel” that something is wrong with your body put your whole life back in uncertainty. However, the first tests were negative and everyone said: it is okay, you do not have to panic. But I did not panic, I felt something was wrong. I have contacted my oncologist again. I was very relieved that she did not immediately swipe it off the table. More studies were done and I had not “imagined” it. The cancer was back.

My Mangomoment was the moment I was in the operating room just before the surgery. Actually you already know a little bit about what is going to happen but the nerves are yelling through your body. You are anxious, there is so much happening in the operating room and you want to keep an eye on it and follow it but it does not work.

My doctor came in just before I was put to sleep. She stood next to me, she said her name and called my name. Then she looked calmly at the preparations in the room and stood by me at the height of my shoulder. That gave me so much peace. I could let it all go. I was taken care of in all areas.

Story from a caregiver: “During the lunch break”

The patient came in during lunch break of the caregivers, so there was hardly anyone present, but she was in great pain. We knew her because she had been with us for a long time. She was a fighter. We have decided with some nurses to stop our lunch break and call together the entire multidisciplinary team to help J. immediately. So J was helped within 20 minutes. Everyone worked immediately, even the doctors from the external services, there was not much to be told about, we radiated that it had to continue now. Her mother was so grateful that it could go so fast, she thanked us with tears in her eyes. (a few days later she died ‘us J.’, so it was nice that we could still do this for her).

Story from a healthcare provider: “The painting”

Mrs. K. had been in our department for a long time. It was not easy to do something extra during the busy moments in the department. There were tulips donated by a patient who was allowed to leave the department and they were placed in the waiting room. I thought Mrs. K. was earning her in her room. I asked her if I could make her room a bit cozier. Then she told me she did not like the painting in her room at all. I have removed the painting and showed the other paintings in the corridor to her. The painting she liked was given a new spot in her room. It was a small gesture that she was very happy with.

Story of a patient: “Washing hair”

After a long operation (breast reconstruction) you can go back out of bed. Your hair is confused and a lies against your head. You feel your like patient. Tired, vulnerable, lost a bit. After the nursing the nurse asked: “Do you want your hair to be washed?” Our volunteer will come by if you want. Oh that seemed really nice to me, just to be pampered. And that short moment of hair washing meant a lot to me. It immediately made me feel better. The conversation with the volunteer was also nice. She had overcome breast cancer herself and I could talk to her about what occupied me. I did not have to explain everything, she understood what I needed. It is nice that there are people who dedicate themselves to someone else for free. Those people, these volunteers, deserve praise for their efforts and take care of those small moments of great value.

Story of a patient: “The cinema”

Not today the patient who talks about blood values, and the joyful cries or tears there. We’ll see that tomorrow. Today a mum who has intensely enjoyed a movie afternoon with her daughter. That we have not come up with that before! The nurse created the ideal conditions, curtains closed – even though it was two o’clock in the afternoon – an easy seat for E. and a chair to lay her legs on. A bag of chips for her and a can of Coke – very educational, I know. The dad went to the shop, and we had the empire for us alone. And then our movie. We do not know if it is the third, the fourth or perhaps the fifth time (although that would be very bad) is that we look at it: Pride and Prejudice, with Keira Knightley. We know what will happen. Who is going to say something. Who will do what. And we continue to enjoy it :-). I really had a great afternoon. During those two hours I was not the patient, I was not in the hospital, but I was just a mum who watched a movie together with her daughter :-). I hope that so many may follow, but really outside the hospital.

Story of a care provider in training: “The room”

Mrs. B. is a highly educated lady who has been hospitalized in the rehabilitation ward after a stroke. Because of the disorder she ended up in a wheelchair and her memory leaves her occasionally. The loss of her independence does not make it easy for her. One day I entered her room and I noticed that something was bothering her. “The room here is too small. I could do much better if the bed is different in the room, “she said with a sad face. I went to the colleague nurses to put the bed in another direction. It became a bit puzzling but it was a fantastic plan. At the end of my internship, I got a hug from Mrs. B. She was so grateful for adjusting the room.