Letters: Michele Goodsell
At the end of November 2010, Michele Goodsell returned to her home in Surrey, BC from the trip of a lifetime; a two-week medical trip to Haiti with a team of health care professionals for Team Canada Healing Hands. As the general manager for a residential care facility for seniors and registered nurse for 14 years, Michele is no stranger to health care.
But, among all of the memories she collected from her trip to Haiti, there was one souvenir she didn’t expect to take home—a spiral fracture above her ankle. A few days into the trip, Michele injured her foot transporting medical gear up and down a long flight of steep, rocky stairs. She carried on for the remaining 10 days of the medical trip in order to see the mission through. But when she returned to Canada and sought medical attention, she found herself in Burnaby Hospital’s Operating Room, where they would help her get back on her feet again.
Dear Burnaby Hospital,
The words ‘Thank You’ are just not enough.
I still remember first hearing that I might need surgery and feeling a sensation of panic run through my body. Having to make the decision was a huge burden. I was confused, nervous and I didn’t know what to do. Having walked on my injured foot for 10 days, I knew I was not the standard procedure spiral fracture patient. It was one of the toughest decisions I have ever encountered, but the staff at Burnaby Hospital helped me through it.
I got to know the nurses quite well, and bonded with other patients and their families. The staff were great and they worked really well with one another. I had never been a patient in my adult life to this extent, but the team worked really well in the Operating Room. The nurses were forthright and came in and took charge of everything. They were also very reassuring and took the time to make me feel comfortable.
I am grateful that things happened the way they happened. Everything flowed really well and I’m happy that I met the people that I did. I feel really honoured that – for my first experience as a patient in my adult life – this is the experience I take away with me.
To Dr. Dunwoody, I am grateful to you for being supportive of my decision, no matter what I chose. Your reassuring manner truly eased my concerns. Dr. Tarazi, you are an amazing surgeon. Not only did you leave me with a scar that after only seven weeks is barely visible, you were so kind, gentle and supportive and explained everything to me along the way. Meredith, Paige and the nursing staff at Burnaby Hospital who treated me, thank you for making my time in the hospital so much better! and to Edgardo in the cast clinic, you are the best technician I’ve ever met. Not only are you very knowledgeable, but you went above and beyond when re-casting me to ensure I’d be comfortable and in alignment.
Overall, this experience has been positive thanks to the great team at Burnaby Hospital! Thank you for helping me heal well enough so that I could celebrate the holidays with Mom in Hawaii cast-free!
With thanks,
Michele Goodsell
* * *
Send your letters to Burnaby Hospital Foundation, 3935 Kincaid Street, Burnaby, BC or e-mail them to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .