Helen: Giving Thanks for Recovery

Helen, a wound care patient at Kindred Hospital Sacramento, left this note upon her discharge.

These last weeks have been a special journey for me. The nursing staff at Kindred has done much to nurture and guide me through this experience. I have learned many things. I discovered nurses at every level of care (RNs, LVNs, CNAs) are quite versatile. They not only administer medications and take blood pressure; they nurture the body, mind and spirit. It is the special brand of expertise dispensed at every level that increases a patient’s chance at a good recovery.

Kindred Hospital , with its unique blend of talent, demonstrates a good model on how important it is to work together. You should take time to celebrate the important accomplishments you have made. Not everyone can be a nurse!

Thank you to those of you who had to explain to me many times what you were doing. While I know I was a pain, this information makes it easier for me to take care of myself and to pass this information to another nurse. I have really enjoyed and appreciated some of the specialized services I received, i.e. Pam and the wound care staff, as well as the respiratory people. However, all levels were important. I would love to name names but I would be sad if I left anyone out.

Thanks to:

Those of you that gave me an ice-cold cup of Sprite when it seemed so important to me…The RNs that stood by my IV pole late at night so they would be there to avoid the beeping sound that woke me up and disrupted my much-needed sleep…The RN with a positive, encouraging word that started me on a much needed and comfortable spiritual path…The CNA that made his presence known every morning so I would feel that my needs (even at a lower intensity level of care) were important too… The LVN – so competent who gave me such reassuring words during my first panic attack… These may have seemed like small acts to you. They are noticed and mean a lot to your charges.

Let me conclude by saying in some small way, I feel I could be a voice of some of the people in the rooms I pass in the halls. I know if they could, they would also thank you for your human kindness. They would say, “God bless you and keep up the good work.”