Magnolia Matters - 2019 Spring/Summer

On Monday, August 20, 2018, a heart catheterization showed a blockage of 98% in one of my cardiac arteries. Surgery was scheduled for the morning of the 22nd. Pre-op preparation was conducted in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Magnolia Regional Health Center. I was very impressed by the care the nurses of SICU took in explaining everything that was going to happen, and I was gratified by the level of personal attention provided by the nurses assigned to my case, and their obvious concern for making me as comfortable, both physically and emotionally, as possible. Dr. Billy Parsons, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon at MRHC, performed the Cardiac Artery Bypass Graft surgery. During the procedure, my designated contact person (my daughter) received a phone call every hour, notifying her of the progress of the surgery and giving her an update on my condition. After surgery and once I was awake, Dr. Parsons visited me and explained in detail what I should expect to happen and gave me a tentative schedule of progress. He also listed for me the medications he was prescribing, explaining the purpose of each one. Within 24 hours of the surgery, I was up and walking the halls of the SICU with nurses on either side and another following with the IV equipment. The nurses were not only technically proficient and excellent teachers, they also displayed a level of understanding of my anxieties and a depth of compassion and concern for my comfort that greatly exceeded expectations. The follow-up by the Magnolia Home Health nurses, and the exercise regimen in the rehab unit, were exceptional, both made better by the positive, cheerful demeanor of the nurses. I’m convinced that I could not have received any better care, anywhere, than that which I received at Magnolia. I’m grateful that such an outstanding healthcare facility is located in my hometown. RECOVERY LEE THURNER’S ROAD TO Lee Thurner 2019 SPRING/SUMMER 18