A life saved to life saver
Three years ago 46-year-old Kate suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm that left her in a bed at The Alfred for 75 days. Just four months after her discharge she was back at the The Alfred as a volunteer on the neurosurgery ward, helping others.
Inspired by how her doctors, nurses and ward staff relentlessly went the extra mile to help her in recovery, Kate vowed to give back.
“During my recovery, I wasn’t allowed any iPads, phones or electrical devices to stimulate my brain. The nurses were incredible, they came in and did my toenails, and worked really hard to untangle my matted hair… they even brought in shampoo and conditioner from their homes – they continually went the extra length.”
“The odds of coming back intact from a ruptured aneurysm were not great, but with the amazing support of all the Alfred staff and my family, I was able to come through.”
As she continued to take strides in her remarkable recovery, Kate, a practising architect of 25 years, was inspired to make a career change. Having entertained the idea of becoming a nurse in the past.
“I thought, if I don’t do nursing now, I’m never going to do it… I owe my life to The Alfred, so it was a way to give back something,” she said.
Now, just three years after receiving lifesaving surgery, Kate has become an undergraduate student of nursing and is working in The Alfred’s COVID vaccination clinic.
She hopes to provide the same degree of care she received.
“I know what it’s like feeling helpless and vulnerable. To have a second chance and give back to the place that saved my life is a great privilege,” she said
“I know that someday I will help somebody, just like those amazing people who helped me.”
