Dear prof,
At 16 Birmingham children’s hospital told me I was an adult now and would be going to adult cardiac care, I remember walking out of that appointment after saying goodbye and thanks to Dr G and Dr Brawn and thinking I’d never find a team like them again. I tried the QE but it wasn’t for me so I told them I wanted Togo for a second opinion they sen pt my to the heart hospital in London where I meet you & Fiona.
Do you remember as I walked in and explained why this young Worcestershire lass was here, you and Fiona called me strong minded! After that appointment I told you both I wasn’t going back to Birmingham definitely not, I’d found my team I wasn’t going anywhere!
14 years on I got the call I’d been dreading for so many years you was retiring and Fiona had already left, I was confused, thought I was dreaming, how could you do this, I was angry to, I had to pull myself together and wish you well, coz prof you deserve this retirement more than anyone you’ve put up with me!
You’ve always greeted me with a smile, bantered about Tottenham and made me feel safe in your care I knew you’d not do anything that wasn’t necessary. We’ve chatted many hours you’ve helped me so much not just with cardiac care but with grief of my mum and nan too, you do always had my back.
I’ve scared your students, so much so you banned me from them! You’ve shouted at my doctors up here and you’ve fought my corner. You told me I had rheumatoid and you said it’ll be ok we’ve got this.
I said goodbye to Fiona a few years ago but I thought it’ll be ok I’ve got professor deansfield.
Now it’s time to say goodbye and wish you well in your retirement bet you’ve got a box at the “new” lane!
Thanks for everything prof you’ve had my back, made me feel safe and made me feel like I could live at times when I started to doubt it, you’ve saved my life in ways you don’t even know.
So it’s goodbye and good luck sorry I didn’t get to say it in person but you prof are one in a million.
As for me it’s cardiology roulette I’ll try them out, with an open mind like I promised.
Take care prof and Fiona I’ll never forget you
Vicky xx
