In praise of Parkwest Medical Center

A group of true professionals

My ability to take in a breath declined all day.  Other than the fact that I do not like hospitals, I have no reason whatsoever that I did not at least alert my husband to the possibility that I was ill.  I told him I thought I got some pollen in my lungs and we bought more Vics-Vap-O-Rub.  Just don't ask why.

About 3:00 a.m., I woke my husband up and told him that we needed to get to the Emergency Room.  Parkwest Medical Center is about 15 minutes from our home, so there was never a question of where we were going.

And, to be honest, I didn't think it really mattered which hospital that you went to when you were ill.  All hospitals are the same.  Drab, dreary, germy and filled with people who hate their lives.

 

We were seen by a triage team within about 10 minutes (even though it seems way longer when you can't breath).  The staff was professional, courteous and focused.   They moved quickly through steps to eliminate problems.  They discussed everything with me, but also told me their preferred choices.

Once I was admitted, the experience just got better.  Everyone was kind and caring.  I was on oxygen and receiving breathing treatments for a really bad allergy attack.  Apparently, Saturday was a really bad day.  And,  allergies in Knoxville, that is pretty darn common.

The food was delicious I must say.  Really good quality.  Nice choices. Salads and soups, a nice balsamic chicken and, maybe it was the steroids, but the Sara Lee desserts were great.

Look, when you are ill, the small, tender mercies mean so much.  A kindness and a smile, a small and appropriate joke.  Everyone that I met on the Fourth Floor staff was wonderful, warm and professional.  It was 3:00 a.m. Easter Sunday when I arrived and 7:00 p.m. on Monday when I left and I did not have a bad experience with the staff or their treatment of me.

Thank you Fourth Floor Staff from Room 472 with the breathing treatments.

Color me grateful for every breath!