They Moved Mountains to Save My Wife’s Life
Dear Editor,
I am writing to publicly express my heartfelt gratitude to a group of medical professionals at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Center, whose dedication and compassion quite literally saved my wife’s life.
Early Sunday morning, my wife woke up with a severe allergic reaction, including facial swelling. We immediately reached out to our family doctor, Dr. Powell, who, as he has always done, responded with care and concern, even on his day off.
After observing her condition through photos, he advised us to monitor closely and to visit the hospital if there was no improvement.
To be honest, going to the hospital was not our first choice, as we had heard troubling stories about other people’s experiences. However, true to his professionalism, Dr. Powell followed up the next morning, reviewed updated photos, and firmly instructed us to stop what we were doing and go to the hospital immediately, explaining that improvement should have been seen by then.
Reluctantly but obediently, we followed his advice and went to the hospital.
While it took some time for my wife to be attended to, what we witnessed deepened our appreciation for the challenges our healthcare workers face. In just a few hours, ambulances arrived repeatedly with critically ill patients. The emergency room was full every chair, every bed occupied. Despite being clearly understaffed, the nurses and doctors moved with urgency, compassion, and determination, doing everything possible to attend to each emergency.
In the midst of this, God placed Dr. Belle-Jarvis in our path. Though clearly a very busy doctor, she did not hesitate to step in and assist where she was needed. When my wife’s condition escalated into a life-and-death situation, Dr. Belle-Jarvis immediately prioritized her care. She quite literally moved mountains to save my wife’s life.
To us, she became the “hospital mommy” constantly checking in, monitoring progress, and ensuring my wife was improving. Her dedication did not go unnoticed.
I must also commend the nursing staff. Every four hours without fail, even at 2:00 a.m. they checked my wife’s blood pressure and attended to her needs. They did so with smiles, kind words, and encouragement that lifted us during some very frightening moments.
Today, because of the determination, professionalism, and compassion of Dr. Powell, Dr. Belle-Jarvis, and the nursing team, my wife has made a speedy recovery and has been discharged.
Too often, we only hear complaints about our healthcare system. This letter is simply to say thank you to recognize the humanity, sacrifice, and excellence that still exist within it.
We will be forever grateful.
Sincerely,
A Grateful Husband
BIG UP. One thing Dr Jarvis is great with people. A real people person. Loving and caring. I had some encounters with her personally and she is no check collecting dr, She is the real deal. Happy your wife is alive writter
Hospital mommy” 🥹❤️ that alone says everything. Doctors like her deserve recognition and support, not burnout.
As someone who works odd hours, I know how tough overnight shifts are. Nurses checking every four hours with a smile? That’s not easy. Salute to them.
Thank you, sir, for highlighting the hard-working staff at the one and only hospital many times there have been neglect, look down on and push to the corner even when they go above and beyond as you rightfully said so many negative things you had heard caused you to be reluctant to visit, but I’m glad you did your experience was top notch, and your wife is still alive. Thanks for this letter. A lot more has been said in my ears, but could not record that would be illegal, and some do not know how to put put it out in the public.
And I am glad your experience was before the african nurses comes in hence the public would still talk the local nurse , saying it’s because the african nurses are here why you would get such quality care Kudos to the team Continue to do what you have been always doing, even though neglect and look down on.When Jesus had healed the 10 leopard, all 10 did not return to say thanks, but just one. Sir, we appreciate you.
God truly works through people. This testimony shows that eben in chaos there are angels in uniform walking the halls
I can relate. I’ve had my fair share of frustration at the hospital, but when it comes to emergencies, some of these doctors and nurses really do go above and beyond. Respect where it’s due.
We complain a lot in Antigua, but when things go right, we need to say it loudly too. Glad your wife is safe and recovering.
Wow, just wow. True heroes.
Dr Belle Jarvis is one of the Doctors that has the calling to do what she does .
I saw that dr work doble shift to make sure that ppl were taken care off and I was one of them .
Dr Belle Jarvis I say thank you.
I like hearing those stories but the same service, courtesy, effort, care and energy should be given to each and every patient
Every hospital has bad moments .. every hospital has great ones too .. just that we hardly hear about the good ones in antigua .. its great you put this forward
Dr. Powell has always been a true professional. He genuinely cares about his patients. Big up Dr. Belle-Jarvis too real dedication in a system that’s under pressure every day.