Grateful Holy Cross patient glad for care

Dear Holy Cross Hospital, On Tuesday (April 17) my appendix ruptured. Gaining admission to your hospital saved my life.

I do need to say that getting past your emergency room to get admitted seemed insurmountable.

Fortunately, I was with someone who called someone who knew to speed the process by going to urgent care and getting referred by them. We did this and once admitted the help was fast and amazing.

Thank you, Dr. (Michael) Darnell and the ER crew. Surgery was followed by two long and necessary weeks of skillful and compassionate care.

I have never been in a hospital longer than a few hours. Truthfully I don’t like hospitals; they scare me. But I needed to be there, and I felt my need was met with dignity and professional excellence. When my husband and daughter arrived, you were gracious.

After about a week I began to suspect I was not getting what I needed because I was not getting better faster. The administrators I spoke with were not at all defensive and seemed willing to help in whatever way was going to meet my needs. After a little more research, I realized I was getting the best care possible and just needed to be patient.

I wish I remembered the name of every beautiful nurse, nursing assistant and housekeeper.

I remember faces better than names. Names I remember are M.J., Jessica, Falco and Gabriella but there were a lot of good people helping me.

And the doctors were the best. Dr. Darnell was kind as well as skillful. Dr. (David) Flanagan’s concerns and efforts to understand my case included his research and phone consults with colleagues were invaluable in figuring out a healing path. The time Dr. (Kimberly) Moseley took to just be with my husband and me helped me become confident that I would get better.

Your hospital team got me healthy enough to be home where I could completely recover.

Before I put the experience of April behind me, I want to make sure and recognize your role in my life. It could have been very different.

I also want to thank the kitchen staff who prepared a care package to sustain us on the 8-hour journey home. When we made it home Monday, I almost thought I should call you guys and tell you we were home safe!

If this had to happen, which it obviously did, I was fortunate to land in your excellent care.

May you be well.