Editor:
In December, after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, my late husband, Brian Smith, suffered a debilitating stroke that left him almost completely paralyzed. While being treated, first in the palliative care wards of Lions Gate Hospital and then Sechelt Hospital, he received wonderful care and kindness from staff and with their help was soon able to return home where he truly wanted to be.
While it may be true that there is much that is broken in our health care system and many who fall through its cracks, this did not happen to Brian.
I am very grateful to the VCH Palliative Care Team of doctors, nurses and care aides, and to the private care aides from Coast Care Ltd. and the Home Healthcare Network for looking after us with efficiency, flexibility, care and kindness. They brought the equipment and supplies we needed to our home, always greeted Brian with a smile, gave him the respect and dignity every person deserves, and offered his son and me comfort when it was needed.
Besides the amazing public and private health care we received, we were doubly blessed by the visits, help and comfort provided by our friends and family, and by volunteers from the Sunshine Coast Hospice Society.
Brian truly left this world feeling loved and honoured by his community.
As hard as it might be at the time, if you are providing palliative care for a senior at home and need help, I urge you to reach out to VCH through your doctor, the Older Adult Mental Health office (604-924-8370), or the Sunshine Coast Home Support Office (604-885-8517). And if you find yourself slipping through the cracks, keep going back until your voice is heard and you connect with the many people who really care and who will try their best to meet your needs.
Rosella Leslie
Halfmoon Bay
