The team in the RBWH ICU are often left wondering what happens to the patients they care for when they leave the ward. Were they able to fully recover and go back to the plans, hopes and dreams they had for their life? 

For this reason, it is all the more special when a patient returns to say thank you. Former RBWH patient Jacinta Smith did just that recently, visiting RBWH to bring a photo collage showing her journey in the ICU to where she is today, as well as a hamper of delicious treats for the staff who brought her back to life. 

Jacinta was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 which required chemotherapy treatment and a bone marrow transplant. When she was receiving her chemotherapy, Jacinta developed pneumonia and sepsis which led to total organ failure. She was transferred to the RBWH ICU in a coma. 

“I was very unwell and close to dying a couple of times during my 23 days in the ICU,” she said. 

“This was just the beginning of my journey, where I went on to spent time in Ward 5C and GARU. I was unable to do anything for myself at this time but I was told I had 20 days to get my strength back so I could undertake my bone marrow transplant, otherwise I risked going into relapse.  

“As soon as they told me this, I begun working extremely hard to get my mobility back. Thankfully, a bone marrow match was found for me over in the UK and I was able to successfully undergo the transplant. In October 2020, I was discharged from RBWH with a new blood type.  

“I wanted the teams here to know how thankful I am for their life saving care. I wouldn’t be here without them.” 

Since Jacinta left hospital, she has been able to go on the holiday of a lifetime to Cape York, the northern-most tip of Queensland.  

Jacinta has recently become an RBWH Consumer Representative as her way of giving back to the health system.