As an Ottawa Civic Hospital graduate nurse (1966 class), and now retired public health nurse, come writer, I published a novel last year whose principal character becomes a patient at the new Civic Hospital in 1925, after her family move to Ottawa from the country. I tried to capture what her actual hospital stay would be like as a patient on Five West, where – as a student nurse – I have memories of having worked there in 1965.

The novel is called Strong Sweet Tea, and describes the journey of my character / patient from doctor’s referral, through admitting, to elevator service to the fifth floor, student nurse admission on the ward and the pre-op nursing procedures performed, etc., as well as the overall wonderful care provided by everyone, including physician, OR / Recovery Room staff, ward staff and the elevator operator. Each played a genuine role for her and especially for her Mother and principal caregiver, as they dealt with the reality of a terminal diagnosis. But one of tens of thousands of stories the hospital would have witnessed over its 100 years of service to our community!