"A tale of frustration and resilience"

Once upon a time, in a small country town surrounded by lush green fields, my family were enjoying a peaceful weekend together. Little did we know that this serene setting would soon be shattered by a sudden and unfortunate accident that would alter the course of our lives.

It was a sunny weekend morning when the incident occurred. My beloved family member, was out for a walk. A misstep on an uneven path led to a terrible fall, resulting in a fractured wrist and a shoulder that was not only fractured but dislocated as well. Panic gripped our hearts as we rushed them to the nearest country hospital for immediate medical attention.

The doctors at the country hospital wasted no time in assessing their injuries and recommended urgent surgery. Recognizing the severity of the situation, they arranged for my family member to be transferred to Fiona S, a renowned facility known for its expertise in specialized surgeries.

On that fateful weekday morning, as I sat by my family member’s side in the transit lounge of Fiona S Hospital, anxiety and concern washed over me. It was a long and tiresome day, but my focus remained on ensuring that my family member received the care they desperately needed.

As minutes turned into hours that stretched agonizingly, the only thing offered to my family member who was also a type 1 diabetic, was a measly sandwich. Their Parkinson's medication, indispensable for their wellbeing, was over an hour late, and their insulin hadn't been administered. I felt a deep sense of responsibility, feeling I had to take matters into my own hands to ensure my family member's safety.

With no nurses in sight, I gathered their medications and administered them myself, trying my best to provide them with the care they deserved. It pained me to witness the lack of attention and the slow deterioration of their condition, but I remained by their side, fuelled by determination and love.

As dawn broke on the following day, my resolve remained unwavering. My family member’s need for a shower was apparent, yet no one came forward to assist them. A nurse casually informed me that my family member had been washed earlier that day, but a quick glance revealed that they were still clothed in the same blood-stained singlet and underclothes from the day they fell. They had been cut by the ambulance crew four days ago.

A ray of hope appeared in the form of a kind-hearted physiotherapist who recognized the situation at hand. She lent a helping hand and guided us as we cautiously moved my family member out of bed, their first time upright in what felt like an eternity.

With determination in my heart and a sense of purpose, I resolved to take charge of their well-being as best as I could. Understanding the strain on the nursing staff, I prepared everything necessary for a shower and gently guided them through the cleansing process, determined to bring some comfort into their life amidst the chaos.

Five days had passed since their arrival at Fiona S, but their journey took an unexpected turn. The hospital had constantly shifted my family member between different wards without any apparent reason, further unsettling their already fragile state. While they were regularly fasted in preparation for surgery, none had been performed, leaving us perplexed at the delay.

Then came the news that my family member was being moved to Fremantle Hospital, where my family member would join a public waitlist for the surgery they so desperately needed. Our hearts sank as we pondered the uncertainty of the future, navigating a complex healthcare system that I felt seemed to fail those with urgent needs.

Despite the circumstances, our love and support for our family member has never wavered. In the face of adversity, we stood as a united front, advocating and fighting for the care they deserved. Together, we weathered the storm, holding tightly to the hope that someday soon, my family member would find the relief they so desperately sought.

And so, dear reader, our journey continues, painted with both frustration and resilience, as we navigate the labyrinthine corridors of the healthcare system, determined to seek justice and the restoration of our family member's health.