Tapestry of care

When I saw this book at Kinokuniya some time back, I knew I had to read this book – “Tapestry of Care, Voices of Medical Social Workers”. I am currently reading the part on abuse. This book allows us to take a look into the world of Medical Social Workers (MSWs). It brings us through their journey of challenges as they handle a wide array of problems faced by patients. There are stories of pain, suffering, despair, human resilience, joy and many more real life accounts. I would say their work requires much courage, all of them are human beings and I guess one of their challenges has always been handling and managing their own emotions, to discern the difference between feeling emotions and feeling emotional…I remember almost bursting into tears along the corridor of the hospital thinking about the case of a cancer patient I was handling when I was a SMSW on attachment, feeling so lost and helpless. There was also fear and uncertainty when I entered the isolation room for a patient with tuberculosis and when I made my first home visit at a one-room unit in a HDB flat. It was kinda dark along the corridor and there was a whiff of stench as I walked along one part of the staircase. But I knew I had to move on, the patients needed that support and assistance. Talking to my supervisor and keeping a log book for reflection did help at times like these…

You know, in a hospital, you hardly see this group of heroes – the medical social workers. But they are always there, doing their part to care for and support patients in one way or another. There is one commonality amongst them…a heart that cares much and deeply for people. Today, as I continue to read this book, I would like to salute these unsung heroes in the hospitals for their love, care, dedication and commitment in their profession. It is my great pleasure and honour to be able to listen to all your voices in this book. Thank you for sharing and for all the lessons that you have made all of us learnt along the way too. Will always remember the journey I had tread on as a SMSW, those memories and life lessons will always be kept close to my heart.