Margaret Barclay
March 2022
Margaret
Barclay
,
NP
Palliative Care
UVA Health
Charlottesville
,
VA
United States

 

 

 

Meg talked with G with great respect, love, and understanding of what she's going through and what she's facing.
I am writing to express gratitude, a million thank yous, to one of your employees, Margaret Barclay (Meg) of Palliative Care. Margaret deserves a star in her crown. I have not personally met her but was included in a conference call so she could discuss my sister's situation. My two sisters who were allowed to come in to be with my sister over the last couple of months have sung her praises over and over. God certainly sent her. Our sister, G, had been in and out of the hospital for cancerous mass removal, perforated diverticulitis with drain put in then sutured later to hold in place, and finally an infection in her abdomen. She also has congestive heart, anxiety, moderate dementia, and short-term memory loss. G is a larger lady and needed more than one person to assist. She was treated by several specialty teams, sent back to rehab, and at her last office, sent straight to the hospital. Her pain has been intense and with her not being able to explain what hurts or where... no option for any more surgery as too many medical issues, being in and out of the hospital - rehab to ER.... Palliative Care was sent in. Meg talked with G with great respect, love, and understanding of what she's going through and what she's facing. She discussed this with my sisters - one her POA and Health Advocate, then had a conference call so she could discuss things. G was included in all conversations so she could say what she felt and what she wanted for her care. Meg was understanding and patient with G and our family. With no control over pain management and nothing else specialists could do, she introduced us to Hospice and the differences between Palliative Care and Hospice. We feel she was instrumental along with a most deserving RN in finding a place with room to care for our sister. To date, she has been treated with so much love, care, and respect. She is clean all day (which was an issue in rehab for sure and sometimes in the hospital), and her pain is under control. We just want to honor Margaret Barclay in Palliative Care. We thank God for her and other health care workers who go far beyond their job descriptions because that's who they are.