Kathy Myers was home enjoying her hobby of refinishing furniture when she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her abdomen. The rapid feeling of pain was so intense, it knocked Kathy to her knees.
A quick call to her friend and she found herself in the emergency department of MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital. Kathy recounted, “Everyone was concerned and did their all to make sure I was seen quickly and was as comfortable as I could be. The way they treated me with such kindness really calmed me and I knew they were on my side.”
When she arrived at the emergency department, she realized that she forgot her cell phone, but a nurse was able to help her connect with her loved ones. “When people put that much compassion and love in their work… to see the level of care they give, not only professionally, but just as the good, genuine people they are, these are the exact people who you want to surround you in a health emergency,” Kathy shared.
As she learned more about her prognosis, it became apparent emergency surgery would be required. Her surgeon explained the best next steps not only to Kathy, but also over the phone to her parents who were en route to the hospital.
After an early morning surgery and during a day of rest at the hospital, Kathy met many care team members. Kathy reflected, “Everyone on the staff, from the surgeon to the kind woman who would wipe down my room, they stopped and talked to me like I was more than just a patient, they treated me like I was one of their people.”