RVI 38- Memory Boxes

My dad went to heaven on 20/10/2021. He was a patient on ward 38 HDU at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle Upon Tyne 11 weeks ago and was cared for by staff who he spoke highly off. Unfortunately dad was readmitted to ITU and spent his final days there. It was such a traumatic time in our lives. We felt so hopeless and lost and I can't describe the heartbreak that we felt on the evening dad passed away but thanks to the staff nurses who cared for dad, we can look back and have some comfort to know that dad was cared for with such dignity and kindness by some of the best nurses- true angels.

On that day we went into hospital to see dad. We were told to understand that it would most likely be the day that dad would gain his wings. I remember walking into dad's bed space and there was a Teddy tucked in with dad. One of his nurses, Megan said it was for my son, Bobby who she knew dad loved so much and knew Bobby loved his Granda and wanted to give him something to remember him by. The nurses took dad's handprints and gave us keyrings that splits into 2 parts-a heart and the outline, we placed the hearts in dad's closed fist so dad could hold the little hearts in his hand and we have the outer parts to keep forever. They also gave us a candle and Forget Me Not seeds to plant and put everything in a beautiful memory box tied with a ribbon.

They arranged that dad got moved into a cubicle where we spent dad's finals moments with him by his side playing his favourite music. I can't thank all the staff on 38 enough for everything they have done but his nurse's genuine kindness will stay with me forever and I will never forget how they helped us as a family.

We would love any donations to be made to ward 38 at the RVI which will be directed towards the beautiful memory boxes and their contents for other families to cherish if they also lose a loved one.
Special mentions to Staff Nurses Megan Roberts and Carla Shield ❤️