Slowly, the news is spreading ... and it worries me.
Fraser Health Region in BC has eliminated the position of chaplains/spiritual care directors from their area hospitals. Budgets are tight ... so they say 'non-core services' have to go ... despite the research to support the key role spiritual care plays in health & recovery. The illusion continues that people 'get this care' in their communities ... which for many who arrive at our hospital doors is simply not true.
It was a beautiful day here in NS and I spent 7 1/2 hours of it in the emergency room. I went in at 10am and got out at 5:30. That is by far the longest I've ever spent in emergency. It was a little over 6 hours before I saw the Dr. They did a quick ultrasound and gave me some pain killers. They figure that it is gall stones. I have to go back tomorrow morning for an ultrasound and get the results. I sure hope that it isn't that long tomorrow.
Today was my one-year annual PET/CT scan at the Stollery Hospital. Due to the morning rush, i had to leave the house at 7:15 am and my mom drove to a place where the good times never stop.
As some of you might know, my significant other is from Barcelona, Spain. I have been very lucky to visit the city many times, and each time I am amazed by its public transit. Many people don't own cars. It's one euro for a metro/bus fare, flat - no zoning like London or Madrid. One euro makes TTC's 2.75 look exorbitant.
