"My wife"

Diagnosed with Terminal Stage 4 Lung Cancer, my wife and I were just devastated. I still type this through tears, my poor wife. She means no harm, never says a word in anger, hate or conflict ... just a beautiful soul.

As a patient in Royal Perth Hospital, my wife and I experienced care, love, smiles and an ear or two that made us feel worthy again, that our suffering was beyond our little bubble. I cannot explain the pain we went and continue to go through. It is so, so deep and constant. The nurses, doctors, cafe staff, cleaning team, legends that bring meals (and give visitors the odd cuppa), social workers, physios ... the team brought us some light in our darkness.

So many to acknowledge ... Claire, our Social worker, I felt was next level awesome (a most wonderful human being), my wife’s nurses (Bronte, Maria (so lovely), the kind gentleman in CCU that consoled my wife late at night when she was scared, sad and lonely, the awesome lady in CCU that gave my wife the confidence to push through modesty barriers, the Respiratory Doctors and entourage team, the assistant nurse who helped me with retaining hope through her personal stories of loss, pain and joy and finally so many of you that tolerated mine and my wife’s Dad’s ‘jokes’. I have missed many and I feel so bad for doing so but there is a message here for you all.

We listen to 6PR and read papers, but you know what, our world is a better place with you kind people in it. We are humbled by your inner beauty, your ability to accept someone who is in a vulnerable position and make them feel OK and reinforce that they are not less of a person than anyone else and your amazing capacity to deliver in times of high stress.

For us, it is not easy to truly convey our gratitude because it goes way beyond words ... it goes to your actions. They matter and they make a difference - every reaction and word when that buzzer is hesitantly pressed.

We move to a different hospital now and our fears remain - the unknown haunts us - the future, as of today, is built on hope, wavering strength and God. Much to do and endure together but we move into our next phase strong – strong because of RPH staff. Our dignity and sense of worth is 100% - without it, I felt we cannot win this battle.

Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Please absorb our message to you. We think of you all and we cry every time - you make us want to be better people.

Love,

My wife and I