A Shared Victory
I was always an energetic person, and on the go…. And, the last thing I expected was a pulmonary embolism following a surgical procedure. After five (5) weeks in a hospital, I was discharged.
I was upset, and I felt alone. How could the hospital and my doctors that I had come to trust abandon me now?
And, what was a Long Term Care Hospital (LTCH) anyway? I did not know what to expect, and I had serious reservations. Was this a hospital? A nursing home? A rehabilitation center?
My family selected Sister Emmanuel Hospital, the LTCH co-located with Mercy. A few days later I arrived by ambulance.
At Sister Emmanuel, the clinical team focused on my multiple needs in a very personal way.
The immediate focus was respiratory, wound care and rehabilitation. I endured numerous surgical procedures, trips to the hyperbaric chamber, and countless hours of nursing and respiratory care along with rehabilitation and wound care services. It seemed like a never-ending battle, and there were times when all seemed hopeless.
While the physicians, nurses and other clinicians focused on my medical needs, they also provided support and encouragement. The human touch. Optimistic and positive words from the hospital team, along with daily visits from pastoral care, provided the strength to persevere. They got a chance to know me, and I got the opportunity to know them too.
Sister Emmanuel became my “home away from home”. Over the course of several months, they shared in my struggles as well as my accomplishments. My victories became their victories. We worked together as partners, and eventually, we all shared in the triumph.
Iliana Angulo was discharged in 2004, but her spirit continues to live within Sister Emmanuel Hospital. She remains active, and thankful to her friends at Sister Emmanuel Hospital for helping her during such a vulnerable time in her life. She worked with the team to ‘embrace challenges’ and remembers the people who shared in her journey. “They will always hold a special place in my heart” she recalls fondly. Ms. Angulo continues to visit the hospital, and she will always remain a part of the SEH team.