May 10, 2006
hospital
I’m writing from a bed at Vancouver General Hospital. Last night I had a biopsy done of a large tumour that was found in my chest, and I’m waiting to hear the results of the biopsy, to know what kind of tumour I have and what the treatment will be. This is my first time undergoing an operation (or having any kind of serious health problem really - I’ve been blessed with good health until this point). It’s been quite interesting - seeing the inner workings of a large hospital, being poked and prodded and tested and tubed. A strange reality.
One very positive part of this experience has been the VGH staff - they are truly incredible. Efficient, professional, kind and caring. I’ve had everything I need (tests, biopsy, etc), happen very quickly and efficiently, but always carried out with a personal touch. I’ve rarely had an impersonal interaction where I felt like “just a number”. So I don’t quite understand the media stories about our health care system - they make it out to be something that’s going downhill or always in crisis. I heard from one nurse that they are short-staffed, and need to hire more doctors and nurses (she had just taken double shift - two eight hour shifts in a row - because of a shortage), and I heard from another that the hospital is desperately in need of money. Yet despite these problems, I feel like I’ve received top-quality care - I think this is mostly due to the very dedicated workers here. Also, it could be the shortages are more visible in other places, like emergency wait times. I can’t speak to that, but I can say that my expectations have been surpassed on a regular basis here.
I’m planning to write some letters describing this experience to newspapers and perhaps others who might be interested.
I’ve been entertaining myself with a stack of DVD’s and music and my PowerBook. Also I’ve been meditating a lot and doing visualizations - visualizing the dark energy of the tumour being pulled out, and filling in the space with with my own healing gold-colored energy. I feel very positive, and am staying in the present moment with it all, taking the everything as it comes.
I hope to be out of the hospital today or tomorrow.
[Listening to North Twin by Adham Shaikh]
posted: 10:31 am
