Wednesday 2 April 2008

The review - The people and the place


I wanted to include something about the amazing people I met hence this blog. This includes patients we met at the clinic.

* Wendy, My sister - Firstly, I have to mention my sister, Wendy, who without I would have been lost. She has been a great support to me, making me smile when I feel like crying and taking time out of her busy life to come to Park Attwood with me. Thank you Wendy, I am so grateful. I am so glad that you are my sister.

The Patient

* Carole - A truly inspirational lady who has breast cancer. She has her own farm with the farm animals as pets. We went through our fevers together and swapped notes on how we felt. Carole is someone I will keep in touch with when I go home.

* Suzi - So Knowledgable, I thought she was a therapist! Suzi has been so helpful with advice about Mistletoe and Dr Callebout, I am seeing him on Friday, and is also someone who has inspired me to carry on with Mistletoe. Suzi is someone else I would love to stay in touch with.
* Aurial - Well, What can I say, the traveller. Aurial (pictured) is 76 years old and this dear lady travelled from Scotland to Birmingham and then to Park Attwood by train which took 12 hours and it was so good hearing her story of her journey and experience along the way. I had a 3 1/2 hour journey from Plymouth and took the easy option, by car. I feel so humbled. I am sure Aurial has inspired all of us as she is so amazing.

* Paula - A quiet Irish lady who has Parkinsons disease. She told the story of her son who escaped the Tsunami disaster and then the heartache of losing a daughter. She is a sweet, lovely lady who, again, inspired us all. She looks like the typical warm, cuddly Grandma and idolises her 14 Grandchildren and 1 great grand child. I could have listened to her soft Irish lilt all week.

The team

* Dr Maria Pedro Fonseca - The singing Dr, one of the patients passed away and a small ceremony was held in her room. We were invited to join but stayed outside the room. Dr Maria sang an Aria and it was beautiful. Dr Maria is the kind if physician everyone should have. She is beautiful inside and out. I could see just how much she enjoyed the work she does. She is a very calming influence.

* Dr Maurice Orange - Another wonderful Dr who treats everyone as an individual and is very passionate about his job. I have never seen so much inner beauty in people until I came here, they emulate it and this includes Dr Orange who's gentle voice can be listened to forever.

* Nurses - Emma, Dawn, Trudi, Sue, Sam and many more. This is a different class of nurse as nothing is too much trouble. The nurses kept us smiling even when there were tear

* Patti - The Eurythmy lady from New York, and a very calming influence on everyone.. She is so beautiful ( I know I keep saying it but it's true) and has a good sense of humour. She reminded Wendy and I of Debbie Harry , a very attractive woman inside and out.

* John - The art therapist and also very calming. He brought out a lot of baggage I was carrying and inspired me to carry on with my painting.

* The kitchen staff - The food was very vegan, nuts seeds and such like. My sister didn't like it like I did and was asked what she liked. All week she had a special meal cooked for her. We were so well looked after and again, nothing was too much trouble.
* The cleaning ladies - We couldn't beleive it on the Tuesday morning we were asked if we had any washing. These lovely ladies took our clothes, washed, ironed and brought them back. We have been so spoilt. One of the ladies had her knees replaced and was up and down the stairs every day with the washing. I called her the bionic woman. She was lovely, and such a beautiful smile. Thank you for spoiling us.At lunch and supper, the whole team of nurses, Dr's, Therapists, cooks sit down together with the patients. They work as a team and it makes it such a lovely atmosphere. Park Attwood is perfect and if any one gets the opportunity to go, they should take it, I know I will definatley be going back.