Poetic praise from MASS Lifecourse Participant

We were delighted to receive feedback from one of our recent MASS Lifecourse research study participants. Valerie’s experience was so positive that she was inspired to write a poem about her time taking part in our research study.

She said: “I’m fascinated with words, and I really wanted to write something that showed how impressed I was.”

Tribute to the team…..and Dr Jonny!

Attended the CARU Centre to take part
As volunteer for the research they do.
Taxis organised to transport me
And escorted inside to desk too.

Larissa greeted me with her lovely smile,
Then my details she thoroughly checked,
A friendly chat duly followed this
And meeting with nurse Maria came next.

To Room 2… for my exclusive use…
Light,  airy and spotlessly clean
Prepared, fully supplied with equipment –
The most in one place I’d yet seen!

Maria, so cheerful and kind, was great
At guiding me through each task.
With care and concern she watched me-
What more could anyone ask?

Having fasted for hours I’m ready to eat-
Thanks to Adam ..who brought toast and tea.
(Later on too he quietly appeared
With the chosen lunch for me.)

Maria and I exchanged views and opinions
On every subject known to woman ..or man.
Then off she took me to the special room
Where I lay -very still- ‘neath the DexaScan’.

Next came Doctor Karen … who took great care
To answer questions, describe, reassure.
With supreme patience and consideration she
Made doubly sure I felt safe and secure.

The procedure, well managed and carried out-
Sensitively and with concern that was  done.
Discomfort kept to a minimum ;a slight twinge
But, really and truly, of pain there was none!

With dressings and bandage firmly applied,
Quiet, relaxed , book in hand ,more food,
Checks again by both nurse and doctor-
Find all  progressing well, as it should.

The results will be used to benefit and help
Anyone who may need it some day.
A few hours of inconvenience to me?
A very small price to pay.

What a hard working ,admirable Team you are!
All that is left for me to do
Is to send this most sincere tribute…..
Thanks to each and every one of you.

From Valerie Howarth.

We would like to thank Valerie for taking the time to send us this wonderful feedback.  To read more about Valerie's experience of taking part in AGE Research please read the full interview on the NIHR Newcastle BRC Website.

Last modified: Wed, 17 May 2023 11:51:55 BST