"Exceptional Care in Fiona Stanley ICU"

I wanted to express my deep gratitude to Peter and the team in ICU who worked so hard to bring Dad back from his terrible condition at New Year's Eve 2021. I believe they must have known his leukaemia was terminal and would kill him soon, but they still worked so hard to stabilise him and bring him back to us.

On New Year's Eve Dad had an infection, a fever, anaemia, unstable blood pressure and was not making much sense. By the end of his time in ICU, he was 100% sharp and clearly spoke with his ICU team and haematology specialist, understanding the options and participating in decisions about his care.

The communication with our family in ICU was excellent, and my sister, mother and I all appreciated the great patient management of Dad, and us. I felt very safe and confident in the ICU, and I think this is down to the people, their skills and their deep care and understanding.

For someone as proud and intelligent as my Dad, it was a big deal for him to be a conscious participant in his own care. He was a scientist, wrote a human biology textbook, and appreciated being given clear information and understanding his situation. He had a fear of losing himself mentally, and the hard work, care and communication of the medical team meant this did not happen. 

He was initially so unstable that transfer to palliative care at home or hospice seemed very unlikely, but less than 2 weeks later Dad asked to go home and was told it was possible.

So, what is the point of saving a 70+-year-old terminal cancer patient, who may only have months or weeks to live anyway? We got 8 days at home, and for most of that time, Dad was calm, pain-free and lucid.

Family and friends from far away sent Dad messages about how important he'd been in their lives, and Dad was well enough to hear it and understand. Dad died peacefully at home, with Mum by his side, holding his hand.

This is the incredible gift we were given by the hard work and perseverance of the Fiona Stanley ICU. A gift that can never be understood, calculated or repaid.

Please pass on my gratitude to Peter and the team. I’ll never know how to thank them.