26 plus in 24 hours

I am dragging a bit this (rare) wet and chilly April morning: woke up with a back spasm and had a hard time finding a position (with leg elevation) so I could go back to sleep. So still in jammies and will take a mid morning nap. Cancelled plans to read with the kids at Pueblo Gardens and, instead, will get a massage. Yesterday we went out for a short drive in the late afternoon rain and I saw a soft rainbow in the eastern skies. As we came out of the foothills, the air smelled sweet and the valley was as clear as crystal. Lovely.

I want to write about the 26 plus health care personnel contacts I had in my 24 hours at UMC. In another day or so, their names and faces may begin to fade and so I want make a small tribute to them on this page:

4/20 check in at noon:
1. First face and name, Janice, the receptionist who checked me into ambulatory surgery and made sure my leg was elevated.
2. Preadmission nurse whose name I don't remember but whose face and cheery personality reminded me of my italian Aunt Della. The significant contribution she made was to share her own story about her broken ankle and recovery which comforted me. She took the paperwork with her and my husband who signed whatever needed to be signed.
NOTE: first time I saw Dr. Chilvers who told me her 2nd surgery had gone longer and so she was just now headed into #3 and I was #4, so mine would be about two hours late.
3. Joan, the pre-op nurse who rolled me back to a) get my vitals and b) get me in a curtain shielded space for prep for surgery. (I would also see Joan again later, in the discharge unit).
4 and 5. The pain specialist/anesthesiologist/med student (female) who came to talk to me about my choice to have/not have a nerve block on the leg. The procedure would deaden the nerves through 24 hours of post op but, of course, there were also risks. Not having the procedure meant more narcotics in recovery. I opted for the procedure, so the resident anesthesiologist (male) also came in and guided her through the (pretty traumatic for me) procedure using sonogram, lanican, a 4 inch needle, tubing, syringe and anesthetic.
NOTE: Dr. Chilvers came and gave me a heads up on surgery schedule, she also wrote on my toe. Dr. Mahony, also came in and wrote on my cast--making sure surgery was done on the correct foot.
6. An assistant to Joan who both tried to keep me comfortable.
7. The surgical anesthesiologist who rolled me into surgery.
8 and 9. Dr. Chilvers and Dr. Mahony and an unknown number in surgery. Dr. Chilvers held my hand until I went to sleep.
10. A nameless Asian nurse in recovery, with short dark hair and quick hands with cold wash cloths.
11 and 12. Cindy and her assistant in discharge who valiently tried to get me ready to go hom that night.
13. Tony, a nurse who was responsible for seeing who would need overnight care.
NOTE: After trying to use my crutches, but being too wobbly, I took the option to stay over (Dr. C. had said this would be my choice) with Mark staying with me. That meant, since the discharge unit closed at 9 and the room wasn't ready I had to go back to recovery. Cindy recommended I get a PT evaluation, also, before I left the hospital.
14. Texas travelin' nurse (she lives in Texas but takes 13 wks. contracts in other hospitals) and
15. Unknown resident doctor who wore cowboy boots who checked me over visually and okayed the orders for my stay over.
16. Stephanie, a 250 lbs. nurse in the Critical Decision Unit (CDU/outpatient overnight) and
17. Leo, the med tech who took care of me during the night.
18. Lela and Madi, the nurse and med tech who took over my care in the morning.
19 and 20. Peter and John, a physical therapist and supervisor who checked out my crutches and assignmed me (thankfully) a walker, adjusted it, observed my motor skills, gave me lessons on how to handle steps.
NOTE: If I hadn't stayed over, I wouldn't have gotten a walker and the PT lessons. Thanks to Cindy and the drs. who okayed that option.
NOTE: Dr. Chilvers and Mahoney stopped in, checked my toes and swelling, discussed my step up and down with pain meds. Dr. Chilvers insisted I a) not use a wheelchair b) get back on baby aspirin (both to avoid blood clots) and use my own judgement easing on and off of vicodin while c) getting to tylenol because "tylenol is better for bone healing."
21. A case worker who reviewed PT suggestions and told us how she wrote up the orders for the insurance company.
22. A home health aide who brought my walker and checked to make sure the height was correct.
23 and 24. Two med techs who took me to the bathroom during night and day.
25. Food service worker who brought me my breakfast
26. Lilly, hospital staff who rolled me out to the car so I could go home. 4/21/noon
NOTE: This doesn't include the names of at least two women who came in to clean up my room, take care of the bathroom.

So more than 26 people at UMC contributed to my relatively simple ankle surgery. My gratitude and admiration goes to all---and to the behind the scenes staff who make hospitals hum.