Healthcare and Comfort. A Personal Experience

Healthcare often gets a “bad rap” and to be honest, some of it may be warranted. Many think prices are too high, care not available enough to all, too many conditions and more. There are a thousand problems.

Yet, there are many great things happening in the world of healthcare and medicine. I know, because hardly a day goes by without a headline or two, that tells me of breakthrough research, better medications, and more. 

I really understand. I take people to appointments, to get medicines, visit people in hospitals and more. 

Everyone has a personal experience.  My overall experiences have been pretty positive for the most part. 

I love the people of the healthcare world. (It was only a few years ago that our company sponsored a program called Adopt-A-Caregiver.) 

This past week, I was at a clinic, and I received a great report, with no issues. As I left the clinic, I took a fall. A short step, I did not see. With my hands full I took the header. A faceplant to the sidewalk. I didn’t think I was hurt, and got up, more embarrassed than anything. But, when I got in the car and looked in the mirror, my face told a different story. Kind of looked like Rocky. (The first one!) 

I drove home and began to assess myself. 

I realized my glasses were terribly scratched, my hands were scuffed, and my knees scraped. I told my wife my priority was working to get glasses. I found out that is not as easy as one would expect. I discovered that I can get one pair a year, but if I replace these with my 3-year-old prescription, I would not qualify for a “free” pair until next year. My appointment is in December, and I am available if a cancellation comes up. We shall see! (Sooner than later, I believe!) 

I awoke the day after and had a couple of appointments, but as the morning rolled on my neck was making a “few noises.”  I came home and decided to go to urgent care in our community. And that is where I headed.  

Despite the situation, I ended up with a wonderful experience. 

“Lee, you were in the hospital. What are you talking about?” 

Like so many things it is the people that make a difference. And this visit proved it more than any. Filling out the paperwork, I was greeted with kindness and a smile. (What I neglected to get was a name, but I was not firing on all cylinders.) 

I went to the waiting area that had a handful of people waiting for care. My personal wait was about 15 minutes. I was escorted into a room by “nurse Jen.” We got through the “paperwork” and I had another enjoyable conversation. (Even to the point of having crossed paths elsewhere.) 

She left the room with the promise the doctor would be along shortly. And she was right. The doctor came in, and it took just a moment for me to recollect her being the doctor (Jenna), the last time I was in urgent care a few years ago.  

After a conversation about the “crunchiness” I was hearing, she made the decision to send me for a CT scan. (“You are over 65.”) Two folks came in to place me in a cervical collar and get me into a wheelchair to get me downstairs for the scans. Even in the radiology department, my wait was but a few minutes and a woman named Sarah came to wheel me into the scan area. The whole process, took but a few moments.  

I have to say all the way through this process, I felt that concern for my well being and my comfort were high. Even to one, saying, “sorry to be mommying you.” Isn’t that what we need when we are facing challenges like these?  

I have been in ministry for 30 plus years, and the other day I had a conversation with someone who needed permission to be able to cry and did.  I am going to tell you that comfort is important to the process of healing and seeing wholeness. 

After my CT scan, Sarah ended up wheeling me back up to the urgent care waiting area. (No transportation person.) On the way I was asked if I need a blanket. She told me it was the way of giving people “hugs.” I was not there too long before I was brought back into the care room. 

Dr. Jenna came in not too long after to tell me that there was no harm to my face, brain, and neck. My collar was removed, and I was left to leave. 

I know there is a lot to complain about when it comes to the system of healthcare. But rarely, do I find the situation to complain about the care or the folks doing it. I know the hospital near me is a smaller hospital, but they go all out to provide comfort. And, just maybe, that ought to be the basis of all care. 

To Dr. Jenna Poulin, and your team, I want to say “thanks” for making a trying time better.