Grandmother of four, Kathleen is 77 years of age and living in Kildare. Kathleen can’t speak highly enough about the care at the NOHC, and she would know. Kathleen spent over 6-months at the NOHC at the height of the pandemic. Kathleen was transferred following a fall at home when she was putting coal on the fire and her leg gave way. When she arrived, she was in a state of delirium, caused by an infection. Following an MRI, the team concluded that Kathleen had spinal stenosis and a pelvic fracture. Both incredibly painful injuries.
“It is so hard to describe the pain from my injury because I just felt it everywhere. I was so sick when I arrived that it took 6 weeks to even try to manage the pain.
Pelvic fractures are very painful because you can’t easily fix them. You can’t put screws and bolts in – they just need a lot of time to repair. Kathleen couldn’t walk, lie on her back or her side. She couldn’t sit up. She describes it as “quite impossible”. Kathleen spent months in gruelling physio with limited sleep due to the intense pain, which impacted her mental health. This was compounded by the pandemic. For six months the team at Cappagh were Kathleen’s lifeline. She says that everyone was so caring, honest and helpful and because of the pandemic the care she received meant even more to her.
“The work the staff do at Cappagh is vital to give people like me their lives back. It is like a family. From the cleaners to the CEO, everyone knows who you are, and they genuinely care. I’ve nothing but the highest praise for the team. The standards are so exceptionally high, and it shows in everything they do”.
It was a long road but 2 years on and Kathleen is back to her old self and is enjoying life with her family.
“Last year I booked a hotel with my niece, and we went shopping. What I do and love best. I spent a fortune but to be able to do it after such a long recovery was joyous. I was happy out. I’ve been given back my independence. The only thing I can’t do is go back to my ballroom dancing.”
Kathleen shared her story to highlight the incredible holistic care she received over her six month journey in the NOHC. From nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, consultants, cleaners and catering staff – Kathleen’s treatment and wellbeing were paramount. CHF is proud to support the work of the NOHC to fund equipment for the rehab unit, hospital development and patient programmes.
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