VC Notes - A weekly word from Dr. LouAnn Woodward
  VC Notes Archive Office of the Vice Chancellor
Friday, September 11, 2020

A COVID-19 Patient’s Story

Good morning!

First, I want to acknowledge that today is the 19th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.  It is a terrible anniversary but one that we will never forget.  Nor will we forget the lives lost in those attacks and on the hijacked plane that crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We remember.

VC_Sep_11_COVID19.jpgOur all-consuming battle with COVID-19 continues at more manageable levels, though we are wary of a potential post-Labor Day spike and are closely watching case counts posted by schools and colleges.  A couple of local media outlets contacted us this week to ask if it is time to relax the use of masks and other spread-limiting measures.  My answer is an emphatic “NO!”  Masks and social distancing are minor inconveniences but they are working to contain the virus and will serve a similar purpose once flu season kicks in.  Thanks to all of you for continuing to “mask up” whenever you are around others.

We know that, at the end of the day, it’s all about the patients.  Putting them first is its own reward, but it’s also the path to success in all of our academic medical center mission areas.  That’s why I was eager to share this letter we received from Terry C. Doremus, one of the 1,388 patients our teams have helped in their recovery from COVID-19.  Her letter is reprinted in its entirety below, with her permission.

— — — 

To UMMC:

The purpose of this letter is to express my appreciation to all who saved my life in August 2020 after I became critically ill due to COVID 19.   Jesus is my Lord and Savior and He provided UMMC when I was in my most vulnerable condition.

I arrived at UMMC August 8, 2020, by ambulance from my hometown hospital after being diagnosed with COVID-19 on July 28.  I was in my hometown hospital from August 4-8 then was transferred to UMMC CICU as I needed a higher level of care. 

The care I received at UMMC was exceptional and I am sure I would have died had I not been treated by your team.  My days in CICU aren’t completely clear but are clear enough to know that Dr. Wilhelm and Dr. Brewer were intentional, thoughtful, and proactive in treating me.  It also helped that my daughter and son-in-law, Drs. Zach and Kelly Pippin, both physicians who recently completed residency at UMMC, knew the critical care team and put me at ease reassuring me I was receiving excellent care.  The nurses were attentive, professional, and sensitive to my needs in an environment that put their own health at risk.  I will never forget their selflessness. 

Dr. Mansel’s visits over my time at UMMC were especially “above and beyond the call of duty.”  He provided a calm and reassuring presence that I needed more than I knew.  He read Scripture to me, took notes for my husband as he could not visit due to visitor restrictions, and gave me the feeling of a family member at my side.

After being at UMMC for 26 days, I have encountered many physicians, NP’s, Nurses, Assistants, Therapists and others; I could count on one hand the negative experiences but the good far exceeds them.  I probably saw Dr. Z. Burns the most.  He was very kind, professional, thorough, and honest when he was unsure.  He and the August Geriatrics Ward team were attentive and I felt they were addressing my health needs no matter how big or small.

There is a special and unique calling for Nurses, LPN’s, CNA’s, Assistants and Techs.  They do for people of all ages things that others of us would only consider doing for our own children.  There is no thank you big enough for them. Latarsha and Pat met the challenge of a malfunctioning bedside potty chair.  They cleaned, never complained, and are two champs in my book.  LaGeorgianna gave great bed baths.  She was gentle, sensitive and sweet.

One of my issues was anxiety and panic attacks due to shortness of breath.  I had never experienced fear like this before so this was a foreign sensation for me.  I thought I would die because I couldn’t breathe.  One of the attributes of many of the nurses was to coach and comfort me through these episodes.  Oby and Vicki were especially sensitive, helpful and empathetic.  Oby would stop in, say hello, and check on me even when I was not her patient. 

After being sick for 3 weeks, I was in need of a real hair wash. Three times Aliah, Kayla, Karen, Janna and her assistant accomplished the impossible.  They actually shampooed my hair in the bed—with hardly a drop of water on anything but my hair.  I will forever be grateful to these Nurse Angels for working “outside the box” to make a 63-year-old just feel better to have clean hair.  There are many other stories of your Nursing Staff—too many to list but all of whom I appreciate for their work ethic, genuine care for patients and “patience.”  After talking with many of them I know some are pursuing new degrees, buying a first home, getting married and having babies. 

I have to give a shout-out to Randy, OT. His first day in the room I asked him to climb up and reset my clock which was an hour and 10 minutes off, which was driving me crazy.  Without hesitation he fixed it like it was part of his job.  He also tidied up my room if it needed it while he was working with me.  And Jasmine is a great motivator!

Housekeeping:  Ora—always cheerful, pleasant, does a good job and cheered for me if she saw me walking in the hall. 

PICC line Team: after a mid-line in each arm no longer gave blood and multiple sticks in various places on both arms came up dry, your PICC team came in and expertly placed a third midline.  I am an extremely hard stick so I appreciate the extra effort to avoid sticks.

Last and certainly not least—my primary care doctor, Dr. Lyssa Weatherly.  There isn’t enough room here or enough positive adjectives to describe this special lady.  She has been the perfect choice of doctor for my husband and me; recommended to us by our daughter, Kelly Pippin.  She looks through our eyes and into our hearts (and health) and not just at us or at a computer screen.  She is genuinely concerned about us. 

From sweet, bubbly Gladys with 18 years in nursing to Aliah who spent her first solo night of nursing expertly attending me, to medical teams who completed whole month rotations during my time at UMMC, I know God used so many to put me on the road to recovery. I am currently at rehab in Natchez, MS getting stronger prior to returning home.  I will be praying for you all as you continue in your endeavors and pursuits. I also pray that you would love and know Jesus so that when our time is over here, we will see each other again.

Grateful,
Terry C. Doremus
John 3:16

PS: Please share this letter with the staff who ministered to me. Many thanks.

— — — 

My thanks to Mrs. Doremus for sharing her story and allowing me to publish it here in VC Notes.  It’s not unusual for us to receive thank you notes from patients, but it is unusual for them to be so meticulous in singling out members of the care team.  Her letter only serves to demonstrate how important every member of the team is in a patient’s experience.  More than that, though, the compassion, expertise and professionalism documented here makes me so proud to be part of this amazing group of caregivers and what makes us all #UMMCStrong.

Signed, Lou Ann Woodward, M.D.

Follow me on Twitter

Ask Dr. Woodward a question or make a comment and she may respond in her weekly column.  Your name is not required, but you may include it if you wish.