A letter of thanks

Dear Mediclinic Constantiaberg COVID-19 warriors, thank you.   

Today, after more than three months, I finally leave my Mediclinic Constantiaberg family – the doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, cleaners, maintenance team, porters, security staff, receptionists, unit managers, and hospital management team, as well as everyone else who I have not mentioned – to head to rehab and then home after I’ve overstayed my welcome. The sacrifices you make, your dedication, commitment, your unwavering compassion, and courage deserves my and our family’s deepest gratitude and admiration.  

Healthcare workers are heroes, and I wouldn’t have been able to get through this very trying time without your aid. You are my inspiration. I am so thankful to have been looked after by such amazing people.  

Of special mention is Dr Sean Rogers, a remarkable doctor who held my hand through the most difficult time of my life, and who took the time and had the patience to keep my family updated while I could not. He also has the most acute and unguarded sense of humour that helped me keep up my spirits.  

To all my other colleagues, the physicians (Drs Derek Miller, Gerry van Aswegen, Ighsaan Carr, Kalee Ebrahim and Kaveer Ramchandre); Shiraz Shaikjee for the “tubes and lines”; Ken Esterhuizen, my ENT guru, and everyone else who pulled together to throw the proverbial “kitchen sink” at me. To my nurses, thank you for the sponge baths and all the spoils. You guys are amazing. And to Steven Blaauw, my personal nurse, thank you for the special care, the warm showers and shaves, encouragement, and the odd kick under the butt when I wanted to slack down.  

To my dearest physios – Ange, Simone, Jessie, Rene, and Chardé – for making an executive decision to take me to the next level, and to Nick for all the chats and banter. To my secretary Cecile, for holding the fort in the office with such aplomb. A special thank you to the ICU and Sunflower ward staff, in whose care I spent the past 108 days.  

I can’t imagine how hard it is for you battling COVID-19 every day and dealing with sick patients who you care so much about. I know you are tired; I know your feet are hurting, I know you are emotionally spent. Thank you for not giving up on me, for risking your lives in order to save mine – for helping me fight this dreaded COVID-19 virus. You’ve touched my life in ways that I could not ever imagine.  

I trust that my experience will make us all reflect upon our lives and appreciate the truly important things such as kindness, faith, humour, compassion, empathy and caring for the sick and elderly.  

“Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”

– John Lennon

I’m going to give the last word to John Lennon. If you only remember one of these aphorisms, this is the one that most succinctly captures endurance, perspective and hope: “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”   

You’ve had your fun, Rona, but the party’s over. I’m leaving today.   

Wishing you all a blessed year ahead – keep on doing what you are doing. You are the finest in your profession and it was an honour for me to be in your care.  

Dr Melvyn Letier   

Mediclinic Constantiaberg