"True Caring Makes For Good Care"

My wife has had sinus trouble for years. Finally last week she decided to have something done about it. That means she agreed to have a surgical procedure to widen the opening into the sinus cavity. Sounds horrible to me but she decided it was worth the time and effort to get it done.

As with most minor surgeries these days this was to be an outpatient procedure. I had to have her at the ENT Clinic by 12:30 and they would perform the surgery around 1:15. We arrived right on time (I am a stickler about punctuality) and they started the paperwork almost immediately.

I was impressed from the start with how efficient and caring the people who were in charge of all this seemed to be. They didn't seem to be rushed about anything and they were helpful in getting all the information needed. They were constantly asking my wife if she needed anything or if she had any questions.

My wife is the type person who needs to have everything explained to her in detail. If she has all the facts then she copes better. These people seemed to understand this and didn't seem to mind that she did have a lot of questions about the procedure to ask.

Once the paperwork had been completed my wife changed into a hospital gown. Then the nurses injected an IV drip into her wrist. My wife has small hands and finding a vein was not easy. The nurse kept apologizing if she had hurt her. Again this was something she didn't have to do but it made me and my wife feel she was in good hands.

Before she went into surgery the anesthesiologist came out and talked with us. He explained she would not be put to sleep but would be in a twilight state where she wouldn't care what happened. He also said she would not remember the surgery. Again he listened patiently to my wife's questions and answered them every one.

While he was talking to us the doctor came in and explained what he would be doing. I never felt so thoroughly briefed on a procedure in my life. Each person involved was as informative and as caring as possible.

After they wheeled her out I went in to the lobby to read a book and wait. In less than thirty minutes the doctor was back and was telling me how the procedure went. He was positive about everything and went into detail about each aspect of the surgery. 

He took me back into the recovery room where my wife was. She was alert and talking with the nurses when I entered the room. She was a little out of it and was chattering away, which is unlike her. Still she looked great and seemed to be pain free. As she chatted she kept telling the nurses how nice they were and how much she appreciated their care and concern.

Amazingly by 3 we were on our way home. My wife had some antibiotics to take as well as some pain medication. For the next few days she took things easy but now seems to be just fine and her self again - without the sinus issues.

I know that medical techniques have made great strides, and that may account for how quickly she recovered from this surgery. I also believe, however, that it was the caring way she was treated by the staff at the clinic. A little tender loving care goes a long way and I think that is what really made the difference.

 

 

 

 

 

©2006 Jackie K. Cooper

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