Thank You
The following excerpts are from letters sent by patients and their families following their stays at BWH:
To BWH:
I am writing this letter to express my sincere appreciation for the fine care I received from the nurses on CWN-7 during my recent stay at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where I came for a hysterectomy. As many patients will probably tell you, when in any hospital there is a feeling of ‘vulnerability.’ That is probably why everyone always says that they “can’t wait to get home and sleep in their own bed.” Not only did their knowledge and expertise make me feel safe, protected, and cared ‘for’ while at the Brigham, but also their kindness and thoughtfulness made me feel cared ‘about.’ The memory of a good deed can never be taken from the heart of one who is grateful.
To the staff of Neurology:
I recently spent some time in your facility with my mother who is quite a feisty person now living with the fact that she suffers from dementia as well as hydrocephalus. The purpose of this letter is to share with you the incredible kindness and professionalism that my family and I received by BWH staff throughout this ordeal. They exhibited a kindness and concern for which I will always remember and be forever grateful. She was not just another patient to them, but rather, she was my mother.
To the Nurses of 10C:
The nurses and patient care assistants on 10C treated our mother with care and compassion in her last days. They never made us feel like we were in their way, as we sat at her bedside in hopes of seeing signs of life. They turned her and washed her with gentle kindness. They treated us, the family, with care and concern, offering coffee and tea, Kleenex and hugs. Often, they gave us just their precious time to listen to us talk about this once very active and independent woman for whom they were caring. We are so grateful that our mother was in a hospital with an outstanding nursing staff.
To BWH:
Since February 2005, I have been admitted to Brigham and Women’s Hospital four times. My first three admissions were to the 11th Floor Thoracic Unit. I met nurses and nursing assistants on the first admission who were present on the two following admissions. Each of them remembered me from prior admission(s)…they took time out of their busy schedules to have small visits even when they were not assigned to me. This may not seem like much, but when you are confined to a hospital for three and a half weeks, these mini visits made me feel good and even a little special.