Hospital shows that kindness lives

Last year, I had to have a hip and both knees replaced. What started as three routine procedures turned into a total, as of today, of seven major surgeries. The point of this not that any of the surgery was done wrong or the product used was defective in any way all was good. The point is the hospital and its staff from the administration to room services, admitting, food services, surgery, recovery, house cleaning and valet parking.

Most recently, I had to be at outpatient surgery. I sat in the car while my wife tried to find a wheelchair. A doctor stopped by to see if I needed any help, then pushed me where I had to go and was very upset at the slope that would have to be negotiated with a wheelchair. His comment was “I will take care of this.” He brought me to the admitting room and excused himself and left. Next, some of the preoperational nurses came out to the waiting room to say hello.

Another time a friend stopped to visit the day of surgery, sat down and before we could talk, the room filled with staff all to greet me and to make sure I was comfortable. The therapy group has a luncheon a couple times a week for their clients and the department head knew I enjoyed going and couldn’t because I was in isolation. She was kind enough to make a lunch plate and bring it to my room.

I hope I covered everyone, and I did leave the most impressive caring of all. They were two young men who parked the cars. They went above and beyond to help. This leaves only the stringers who would hold a door or push the wheelchair or just offer a kind word.

So if you are looking for that one honest person or Good Samaritan, capture them in a web of kindness.

Richard Straka

Gurnee