Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1474369
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 MARCH 2022 OPINION 3 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 JULY 2022 Mikiel Galea Letters & Clarifications Appreciation: Simone Buhagiar IF there was an association for the most compassionate, altruistic and loving healthcare professionals, then Simmy would undoubtedly be its life- long president. Simone was larger than life, but not in an expansive manner. Humble, discreet and tactful, she'd hover around and make things better. You knew you could always rely on this smart and colourful nurse who collect- ed owls and turtles. As a dedicated professional, she taught me the tricks of the trade in the corridors of St. Luke's Hospital: taking bloods; which professor to shadow during ward rounds; and even which clinic brewed the best espresso. I loved her most because she aced at letting me off early to go to the gym. Simone was heavily involved in set- ting up the local Thalassaemia Associa- tion, being a Thalassaemia sufferer her- self. Her illness necessitated many stints at hospital to top up her blood and she had her spleen removed to boot. From an early age, Simone knew what suffer- ing was all about. Yet she soldiered on. She never gave up. Armed with a glowing heart and radiant smile, she insisted on reaching out to those in crisis – both physical and psychological. I can recall countless occasions when she went beyond her call of duty. She once drove all the way to hospital in the middle of the night to get fluids to rehydrate an intoxicated patient. She'd ensure that suicidal and abused patients brought in by the police to the crisis team were safe and settled before retiring, counselling them over a mochaccino. On yet another occasion, she held the hand of a woman who had been beaten by her partner, refusing to leave her side until she slept. Her mis- sion was to heal. Her motto was being compassionate. She insisted on accom- panying the downtrodden through their suffering. Simone also helped me introduce a new treatment locally which was met with a bastion of scepticism from col- leagues. Together with fellow clinic manager Michela Mifsud, they single- handedly revolutionised the way we see and treat mental ill health. These two were indestructible, treating endless queues of ailing patients, sometimes until 2am, whilst valiantly answering the barrage of questions associated with this technology. Simone travelled with us to London where the girls trained with the pioneers in the field, becoming the first (and best) TMS administrators in southern Europe. She took up this challenge with gusto and helped make the clinic an instant success up until this very day, her mind buzzing with ideas to improve the ser- vice. Her smile, her compassion and her love enveloped those she met. No pa- tient ever left the clinic without a smile after seeing Simone. Simone then became ill. Unsurpris- ingly, she faced her crisis with dignity. She remained compassionate and selfless until the very end. She blessed so many people with her love over the last six months, despite being paralysed from the belly downwards. The cour- age and humility with which she faced her pain and illness is exemplary. She never despaired for fear of upsetting her beautiful family. Her faith in God was unprecedented, praying daily for the needy. She insisted on asking about our patients' health before I could even get the chance to ask her how she was feeling. Simone knew how to love and knew that suffering for others was the most noble form of love. She loved her mag- nificent family. She adored her bright nephews – a super-cool, childlike grandma, rolling on the floor with Sam and Kai, who had a blast whenever nanna was in the house. On her oncol- ogy bed, she always clenched 'Owli', an owl soft toy which Sabrina, her late little sister, had given her. She was further- more bereft of her bubbly dad, who also passed recently. Her spouse Ray, a senior nurse and gentleman, her dedicated and heavily pregnant daughter Serena, together with her frail, doting mum, loving sib- lings and relatives, refused to leave Si- mone alone for a second. The love and care in this family is the stuff of legend. I could say more but perhaps the best eulogy is to thank Simmy for teaching us how to love and give until it hurts. Simmy, you touched everybody with such love and compassion, it is im- possible to forget you. Thank you for showing us what matters in life, and to always believe that there is good in each and every one of us. Given the innumerable virtual posts and calls, our patients are both shaken and grateful. They are blessed to have known you, and so have we. It has been an honour to work with you. Simone, until we meet again, continue to guide us to make people better just as you did. We love you and always will. Dr Mark Xuereb