Sometimes life throws a couple of medical curveballs your way. When that happens, the difference between a scary experience and a manageable one often comes down to the people taking care of you.
I recently had a run of unfortunate luck, but I was helped through it by some truly wonderful people. I wanted to take a moment to give them the credit they deserve. The folks who populate our hospitals here in Lubbock work incredibly hard, and sometimes they only hear from people when something goes wrong. This is one of those times where they deserve to hear the opposite — a sincere “job well done.”
Yes, I filled out the surveys and tried to show gratitude whenever I could while I was there. But even that didn’t quite feel like enough. What these people provided went beyond normal service. I’d call it an abundance of care.
For context, this story involves the good people at Covenant Hospital, Grace Surgical Center, and their parent company Providence, along with several of their satellite and specialist locations around Lubbock. I don’t know the current politics or status of any mergers or administrative details — that’s not the point here. The point is the people.
Here’s how it unfolded.
My wife needed a knee replacement. Now, I could tell you she blew it out as a world-champion Muay Thai kickboxer… but that part is a joke. I just don’t want anyone thinking this is some sort of paid advertisement. The knee replacement, however, was very real and very necessary.
While we were waiting for her procedure, my own gallbladder decided to completely revolt. What started as a problem quickly turned into a serious medical situation that resulted in a 10-day hospital stay for me.
And through both experiences, I can honestly say the care was outstanding.
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At no point did we feel rushed, ignored, or uninformed. Whether it was something major like pain management or something simple like getting a cup of apple juice, someone was always there making sure our needs were met. If these places were hotels, they’d easily earn five stars for their abundance of care.
What impressed me most is that the compassion came from every level of the system. Of course the surgeons were excellent, but it didn’t stop there. The dietary staff, the specialists, the technicians, and even my new overnight friend who monitors screens and vital signs all played their part.
And of course, there are the nurses — the ones who truly carry the heavy weight on the road to recovery. Their patience, skill, and kindness make an enormous difference when someone is trying to heal.
Read More: How Lubbock Residents Came Together In A Time Of Need
I sincerely hope you never have a reason to spend time in a hospital. But if you do, I hope you receive the same level of care that we did.
Because here in Lubbock, there are some truly remarkable people looking after us.
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