‘I’m still here today because of their care and dedication
An 84-year-old man from Bettystown who was given just hours to live after developing a life threatening condition last year penned a poignant poem paying tribute to the nurses that ‘saved his life’ during his stay in hospital.
Jimmy Lynch started writing poetry during a five week stay Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda and said their ‘dedication and care’ for patients was clear to him well before this current health crisis.
His poem ‘The Life of a Nurse’ was even proudly displayed in their ward office.
Jimmy who has heart failure and got a pacemaker a few years ago developed sepsis last year and was gravely ill in hospital but beat the odds and pulled through.
The Bettystown man’s health care inspired him to get creative and has gone on to write another ten poems including one about the current pandemic.
Speaking about his ordeal he said: “I wrote this poem during my stay in hospital because I couldn’t believe how well the nurses were working together as a team, it would have to seen to be believed.
“I was really well looked after and because of their care and dedication I am still here today.
“We need to support the frontline workers as they are now doing double the work they would normally do, only their lives are now at stake.
“They are risking their lives to save our loved ones.
“I feel lucky to have gotten through his health scare and I am so grateful to the nurses and doctors who helped care for me during my time in hospital.”
Originally from Kentstown, Jimmy now lives in Bettystown with his wife Mary. Developing a love for poetry as a child, Jimmy only began to take it seriously since his spell in hospital.
“I have been writing poems for years but I was scrapping them because they weren’t that good, I don’t know what happened when I was in hospital but I can’t stop writing now.”
Granddaughter Sinead Lynch (22), says her family was shocked to discover his newfound talent.
“It was a really worrying time when he was in hospital.
“We had a couple of scares with him, the doctors said it wasn’t looking too good at one point but he pulled through thank god.
“He’s a really strong man and always wants to be doing something so I suppose writing keeps him occupied.
“We are really impressed with his poems and always excited to read the next one.”
Jimmy's Poem:
The Life Of A Nurse
When the night is over
the sun begins to peep,
the nurses scurry home to bed
to try and get some sleep.
The time it passes very fast
as all of us can see,
They must be back that night again
to care for you and me.
There’s nurses for the night shift
there’s nurses for the day,
it’s sad to see them work so hard
most times for little pay.
As I leave this hospital
It’s plain for me to see,
the team of nurses working hard
to care for you and me.