Dear Sir,

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude, appreciation and sincere love to the Bermuda Hospitals Board medical team, the most professional medical team members I have encountered.

I was admitted into King Edward VII Memorial Hospital on March 2 and stayed until March 13. I was readmitted to KEMH on March 16 and finally released on March 19, 2019.

My experience the first week that I was there was nothing short of terrifying, painful and death-defying. I was very sick, which was very mysterious to the doctors and medical staff.

They ran the full gamut of tests that could be run on a human being and went beyond the call of duty to find out what was wrong with me. Only the grace of the Lord and the staff at KEMH saved my life.

I must say the first week was when the KEMH medical staff fell into full gear in taking care and administering the most optimal medical care I could possibly get. This came from a caring and very concerned team of medical professionals. The medical staff was at my beck and call 24/7, no questions. The care afterwards was phenomenal, with all involved rallying for my total recovery.

Your staff, including emergency staff, lab technicians, MRI technicians, housekeeping and dietary staff were outstanding whenever they came into contact with me during my time at KEMH.

I have heard some awful stories regarding some experiences that have been had at KEMH. I can say that I personally refute any bad remarks said about the facility based on me being a patient there.

To the doctors that saved my life, Boris Vestweber and Fitzroy Hamilton, I will never forget what they did to save me from an imminent, premature and possible early death. I was that sick.

To the nursing staff whom I might have cursed or screamed at when I was in the most severe pain, which at the time was in the range of 100 times normal and at times felt like 1,000, I extend a great big apology. Sorry for all the bad words, I am not proud of myself.

I must say that all the staff were very understanding, sympathetic and professional when they were providing the care given to me during those moments of uncontrolled and severe pain that I was experiencing. Words cannot explain how grateful I truly am to the team of professionals, local and foreign, who were on my case and at my side before, during and after the surgery that saved my life.

I will be for ever in total awe and appreciation of the first-class care and attention bestowed on me while I was on Ace/Barber Ward at the KEMH.

You are all outstanding professionals, I commend you all to the highest degree. My words of excellence will always be extended regarding the treatment I had when I was in your facility and in your care.

May the Lord bless you all. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

PAULA LEEANN SIMONS

Sandys