Resident appreciates local hospital
Staff writer
Some time ago Glenn Lygrisse wrote a letter to the editor about being grateful for having a hospital in Hillsboro. I would like to take this opportunity to do the same.
Earlier last week I was having a cough due to a cold or flu that triggered my asthma. I went to my doctor in Newton and was prescribed some medicine.
But as the days went by, I found that the medication was not helping. My breathing was becoming more restricted, and I was having a very difficult time breathing. This was around the time we experienced the winter sleet and ice storm in our area.
I called my doctor and told her nurse that I was not able to come to their office and that I would try to go to the emergency room at Hillsboro Community Medical Center in our home town.
I had our son Ronnie start his car to see if we could get out of our driveway and take the gravel back roads to Hillsboro. We don't have a four-wheel drive vehicle anymore, so riding to town in his car was taking a chance.
I called HCMC and told them of our plans to try to come in. I was told that they would notify the doctor who was on call.
When I arrived, I did not know what to expect. I had not been in the emergency room since our daughter, Charity, who is now 15, was about three years old. We took her there several times for having asthma attacks.
Also, I was uncertain whether or not our insurance would cover our visit because Hillsboro is considered out of the service area under the Boeing Blue Cross/Blue Shield Insurance contract.
When we entered the emergency room, we were greeted by Dr. Reeh, the physician on call, Donna Diener, RN and Ken Johnson, RCP.
My condition was then evaluated, and Dr. Reeh agreed with my self-diagnosis, that I needed a more aggressive approach to my asthma problems. I was given a higher dose of steroids and given additional medicines in the nebulizer for the breathing treatments.
Dr. Reeh ordered x-rays which showed that I did not have pneumonia. That was a relief. Lab tests showed no infection in my blood.
Dr. Reeh suggested and asked if I would like to stay at the hospital in the observation room for several hours. This was to help ensure that my breathing was under control and for me to get some rest. I was worn out after having been up nearly every two hours giving myself breathing treatments.
I was treated with professionalism and sincere care at HCMC. I really appreciated that, since I was not a patient of Dr. Reeh's. He answered all of my questions and contacted my physician in Newton to discuss the treatment I was receiving there in Hillsboro. I was very pleased with his openness and his willingness to discuss my condition with me.
I thank all those who were involved in my care during my seven hours at HCMC. I am another patron who is certainly glad Hillsboro still has a hospital.
