Bethan Matthews
November 2024
Bethan
Matthews
,
RNC
Ward 18, haematology/ oncology ward
Birmingham Womens and Childrens Hospital
Birmingham
,
UK
United Kingdom
When you watch your 3-year-old daughter being injected with her first round of chemotherapy, and the nurse places her hand on your daughter's and explains don't be scared; this is going to fight all of those baddies in your blood. This is a memory that will never fade.
Our daughter J was diagnosed with ALL Leukaemia in BCH A&E department. Since the very first minute we walked into Ward 18 the staff have provided exceptional care for all of us as a family. However, one nurse stood out in particular. Her name is Beth, and she is our sunshine on a rainy day! She listens to our concerns as parents and addresses them where possible, she elevates all of J's fears and when J asks for a cuddle or a hand to hold, Beth is there! As well as acting professionally in her nursing capacity and administering drugs etc., our regular visits wouldn't be the same without Beth; you can see she strives to be GREAT at her job, because not only does she care about her own progress (which I applaud) she wants to make a difference to these children's lives whether it be big or small.
I have 2 friends whose children have been treated with cancer-related illnesses, and both families remember Beth over the years! This speaks volumes to me as a mother as, over the last 4 months, we have met many, many nurses, yet her name, her personality, and the high level of care provided are consistently remembered.
When you watch your 3-year-old daughter being injected with her first round of chemotherapy, and the nurse places her hand on your daughter's and explains don't be scared; this is going to fight all of those baddies in your blood. This is a memory that will never fade. She didn't have to say that; she didn't need to emotionally support J with that hand being held or kind words being said as we, her parents, were there! However, she saw a family torn apart and stepped up to support all of us and get the job done.
J was also refusing to drink, which we desperately needed her to do due to chemotherapy. To this day, if a car pulls up on our drive home, J still shouts that it might be Beth coming to tell Daddy off as I didn't drink my juice! Quick, pass me my juice!
Beth got her drinking again, smiling again, and eradicated her fear of hospitals!
Beth deserves the world and more and we always look forward to seeing her!
We are exceptionally lucky to have you, Beth!
I have 2 friends whose children have been treated with cancer-related illnesses, and both families remember Beth over the years! This speaks volumes to me as a mother as, over the last 4 months, we have met many, many nurses, yet her name, her personality, and the high level of care provided are consistently remembered.
When you watch your 3-year-old daughter being injected with her first round of chemotherapy, and the nurse places her hand on your daughter's and explains don't be scared; this is going to fight all of those baddies in your blood. This is a memory that will never fade. She didn't have to say that; she didn't need to emotionally support J with that hand being held or kind words being said as we, her parents, were there! However, she saw a family torn apart and stepped up to support all of us and get the job done.
J was also refusing to drink, which we desperately needed her to do due to chemotherapy. To this day, if a car pulls up on our drive home, J still shouts that it might be Beth coming to tell Daddy off as I didn't drink my juice! Quick, pass me my juice!
Beth got her drinking again, smiling again, and eradicated her fear of hospitals!
Beth deserves the world and more and we always look forward to seeing her!
We are exceptionally lucky to have you, Beth!