I couldn’t believe the difference between hospitals in Scotland and VU Medisch Centrum in Amsterdam, where I recently stayed.
I had gone through the worst day of my life. On October 14, I gave birth to my son Jake on my way home from New York in Amsterdam Airport.
I was travelling with my son Kyle aged nine years. I was 22 weeks pregnant. I was rushed to the hospital. I was panicking, as I was in a foreign country on my own with my nine-year-old son. I had to face the worst thing any mother ever has to go to through. I lost my baby.
When I arrived at the hospital things happened so fast. I was rushed in for an operation. When I went back to the ward, I was so scared, but all the nurses, doctors, social workers and funeral directors helped me to come to terms with what I had gone through and prepared me for the next steps.
VU Medisch Centrum was one of the most remarkable hospitals I’ve ever seen.
The staff went out of its way to help me. One of them phoned me the day after arriving home to see how I was. They even allowed my son and his dad to stay in the room with me so we were all together. They did everything they could for me.
They had this magical two-floored area for all sick children or visitors’ children to go, where it had all the latest computer games, Internet access, football pitch, built in aeroplane, dolls, cars and everything a child would love to play with.
The staff even did activities with them, like painting and drawing etc. They also had signed football cards and posters for the boys and stuff for the girls.
I have been home for two weeks now. I have not had any medical checks.
I have had no contact with midwives or health visitors or doctors apart from one appointment I made myself.
I thank staff at the VU Medisch Centrum, the Post Office Insurance Company, Sturrock Comb & Davidson Funeral Directors, family and friends for everything they have done to help me this difficult time. — Patricia Hodgson, Dundee.
Old buildings make area interesting
I agree with the letter writer who said that we should be preserving old buildings. The Tay Hotel, which is now to be renovated, looks spectacular compared to some of the dreich office buildings and hotels that have sprung up around the waterfront area.
It’s all very well to have a modern waterfront, but interesting architecture will never go out of fashion and will in fact add character to what, if recent trends are anything to go by, could end up being a fairly uninspired part of the town. — Architect Buff.
Son proof of cannabis danger
I am dismayed at the response by leading NHS clinician Dr Brian Kidd on the dangers of cannabis.
I have seen the devastation that cannabis, ecstasy and LSD does to young people. My son is living proof of that.
He has Schizophrenia Affective Disorder and will be on medication for the rest of his life.
He is fine now and getting on with his life, but will never be free of his condition and he will not miss his medications now because he knows what will happen to him. That is the legacy he has left himself with.
He missed nearly all of his teenage years because he wanted to be liked by his peers.
He was only 12 or 13 when he got involved with cannabis, dabbled with LSD and, three months away from his 15th birthday, was rushed to hospital after taking two ecstasy tablets. He was in the high dependency unit for two weeks.
When he got back home, he went back to his so-called mates and went into cannabis in a big way.
He was sectioned under the Mental Health Act, less than three years after he came home after almost dying from taking ecstasy. He is 28 now. — Concerned.
Not a gateway drug
I am a cannabis user. The documented effect cannabis has on mental health is it only affects those with underlying mental conditions, roughly one in 5000 people.
This is a fact most politicians don’t iterate, they just like to say the words “linked to mental problems”.
I am by no means saying that you can use cannabis and it won’t affect your life at all, but the same can be said about any drug, legal or illegal.
Cannabis is not a gateway drug. Many studies have been done on this subject, some in favour, some not in favour.
I think it’s likely that people who are open to taking drugs start on cannabis because it’s the most widely used and available illegal drug in the UK.
The only reason there is a connection between cannabis and organised crime is because it is illegal.
If the Government legalised and taxed it, there would be no reason for organised criminals to keep growing/importing it. — Dundee Cannabis User.
Calvin’s storming show
I was at the Calvin Harris gig at the Caird Hall, Dundee, and saw him being hit on the head by a flying object.
Many performers would have stormed off the stage at this point, never to return, but all credit to him. He got right back up and went on to give the audience an absolutely storming show.
In the end it was a great night and I have to say a big thanks to Calvin for picking himself up and getting on with things. — Calvin Fan.
Indulgence evening
The third annual Evening of Sheer Indulgence takes place next Thursday, from 7-10pm at the Apex Hotel, City Quay, Dundee.
This year features cocktails on arrival, a live jazz band and a fabulous fashion show, spa treatments, hair styling, wine tasting and much more. Tickets are only £15 and are available from the main sponsors, Aitken Wines, Lorraine Law, McIntyres and Yu Spa.
All profits go to Teenage Cancer Trust and will be spent locally. For more info visit www.sheerevent.co.uk and www.teenagecancertrust.org — Diane Barnett, Marketing Assistant, City Management Centre.
Lookin Good
It is with great regret, due to illness, Lookin Good will have to close its doors for a short period of time. The shop closed yesterday and will re-open sometime in the New Year.
We hope to see all our customers again in the New Year when we re-open. — Committee of Lookin Good, Haldane Avenue, Dundee.
Name callers were not punished
Name calling in playgrounds is something that has happened in the past and, sadly, still goes on to this day.
I was told of two children in a Dundee school who were calling my child nasty names.
In response, my child retaliated with a swear word and was caught by the teacher.
Because of this language, my child was stopped playing in a school football team at a professional game.
The two boys who called the child names were not punished and got to play football.
It makes me wonder what message comes across to children in today’s schools.
Go out and verbally abuse others and you can be an ambassador for your school. — Confused and Angry Parent.
Caird Hall catering
I was saddened to read Mrs Hendry, who did the catering at the Caird Hall, is to lose her job.
I have attended many functions there involving both bar and catering and the food served was best of the best.
It was reasonably priced and enjoyed by everyone who was there.
I doubt very much if any other company coming into the hall can supply any better value than Mrs Hendry.
I’m sorry to see you go. — Margaret, Dundee.
Psychic night
To raise funds for this year’s BBC Children In Need, we are holding a Psychic Evening in the Michelin Athletic Club on Friday, November 13, starting at 7.30pm.
From 7pm on the evening, you also have the opportunity to bring along your good or broken jewellery which can be exchanged for cash.
All money raised will benefit Children In Need and 10% of the money from the jewellery sales will benefit the charity.
For tickets call Brian on 07900 981042 or pay at the door. — Brian Bolden.
THE ADDRESS for readers’ letters is - Readers’ Page, Evening Telegraph, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL. They can also be placed in our post box at our offices in Albert Square, Dundee, emailed to us on letters@eveningtelegraph.co.uk or faxed on 01382 454590. We ask correspondents using a nom-de-plume or sending by e-mail to provide a name and address for reference purposes. The editor reserves the right to reject or edit any letter. Please keep letters as short as possible.*
