A NURSE who cared for a cancer patient during his last day was nominated by his family to receive our Bouquet of the Week.

Mike Lindsay, 58, from Darlington, died on April 8 at Darlington Memorial Hospital, as a result of bowel cancer, and because of the coronavirus lockdown, his family were not able to be with him, so that responsibility fell to nurse Sandra Watson.

Mike’s family – wife Angela, father Dom, and children Joe, Tory and Lynz – said they were so grateful to Sandra they wanted her to have some recognition.

Mike’s wife Angela said: “We haven’t met Sandra due to lockdown, but we would love to. Her devotion, compassion and care make her outstanding in her profession. She is able to relate to people and has a sense of empathy, especially when imparting news no one wants to hear.”

Sandra, a blood transfusion practitioner, had been redeployed for 12 weeks on to the Intensive Care Unit at the start of the national lockdown in March. She had worked in the unit for nine years previously.

Angela said: “I am sure she has done many deserving things, but for us she was our rock and our lifeline in a very difficult situation.

“Mike had to go to hospital on April 7 with stomach pains. He wasn’t allowed anyone to accompany him into A&E or when he went down for emergency operation for a strangulated bowel.

The Northern Echo:

Mike Lindsay and his family

“Our last communication was 5pm the evening before his operation. Unfortunately, he had to return for the operation the following day because his heart had been too weak that night.

“Sandra was his nurse for the day of April 8, when we sadly lost him. Although Mike had been tested for Covid because he had a high temperature, Sandra sat with him, holding his hand and went out of her way to ensure we could somehow communicate with him, even sending someone to the hospital shop to buy a phone charger when it became apparent that although he had pulled through the second operation, he wasn’t going to survive long.

“Sandra encouraged laughter, love, memories and giggles, which have been sadly missing from the months after Mike’s death, but that final day was one that was made so much more humane by the work of Sandra.

The Northern Echo:

Angela and Mike Lindsay

“From the moment Sandra came onto shift at 8am, she was supportive, constantly answered our questions over the phone, and explained in terms that we could understand what was happening.

“The call to say he was still ventilated and unlikely to survive was the most difficult for our family to receive, yet Sandra worked with compassion and honesty. These traits were what were needed at the time. Sandra was able to give us a likely timeframe and asked the family to work fast to produce music playlists, and send in voice recordings through Whatsapp with personal messages, all the time whilst nursing Mike, and barely leaving his side.

“She was insistent that only immediate family sent personal messages, but asked us to include anecdotes about close friends, holidays, pets and other things

“She gave us hope by messaging back to say that when he heard particular stories his heart rate had risen, so we knew he had heard us.

“She was due off her shift at 8pm, and we felt a replacement would not be able to provide such close-up, yet distanced, family support. Mike must have felt this as well, as he passed away at 7.23pm.

“What a shift for her, what strength, devotion, care and support. She is one of many people doing similar jobs, but her resilience, strength of character and calming nature won our family hearts on that dreadful day.

“Mike didn’t have Covid, but we didn’t find that out until much later, yet Sandra had to wear full PPE and she still managed to work in a humane manner, and held his hand on our behalf. We are so proud to have had her to work on our behalf.”

To nominate a person or group for Bouquet of the Week, email jo.kelly@newsquest.co.uk, making sure to include your phone number. Flowers are provided by Heavenly Scent, Bondgate, Darlington, telephone 01325-389933.