CHAPTER 9

2024-12-25

A SIMPLE PREPARATION

On a Friday, a thank you card for the workers of the transplant team was prepared with a cartoon elephant drawn with the logo of Benz without the circle frame on its tummy, after a box of chocolate biscuits was bought from a supermarket. The logo symbolizes the scars left on mine after three major liver surgeries.

With the gifts, I visited the Solid Organ Transplant Ward on the fourth floor of Vancouver General Hospital the following day. I told the nurse at the nursing station my purpose for the visit. This is an annual act of appreciation done every December for the effort of the Solid Organ Transplant Team twelve years ago that enabled me to live another year.

THE ENCOUNTER

While nurses were serving patients inside the rooms, there were four nurses by the counter, including three male and one female. Surprise was shown on their faces after hearing my years of transplant. “Wow, twelve years.” repeated by the female nurse. “I wish you from now on are going to have a happy and healthy life.” said clearly by a male nurse walking out from a room. I returned him with immediate thanks with a big smile wholeheartedly.

THE INSPIRATION TWELVE YEARS AGO.

This practice originated from a very pleasant experience twelve years ago, a day or two after I was transferred to the Solid Organ Transplant Ward from ICU. Two South Asian ladies presented a bunch of beautiful flowers to the nurses at the station as an appreciation of the transplant done two years ago. I was deeply moved and encouraged by their genuine act. I admired their gratefulness, and was pleased to see her revitalized. I pledged to follow her example to show my appreciation of their achievement and hard work. “Your visit has made us feel good about our work.”

MEETING A FAMILIAR FACE AND REVISIT

In all the twelve December I was absent once because of the Covid. In an early visit, I recognised the senior nurse whom I had a clearer memory. Other than reminding me to rehabilitate by eating steaks, her assistance was requested when junior nurses failed to insert IV into my veins in the later period of my hospitalization. She also recalled that I was patient, “Mr. Chan”.

I’ll visit till I can't.