Grateful Patient Letters

While space can't accommodate the many wonderful letters we receive, we thank all of our patients for taking the time to share their appreciation with our staff.

Letter from Jen Best and Family

I wanted to express my sincere appreciation to all the staff that participated in the care of my brother Albert Lee. Albert came into the Emergency Room on February 18th and passed away on February 19th, just past 4:00am. Albert had many health problems that required him to come to Valley Regional. Every time Albert came to the hospital - be it for Lab work, X-Ray, Emergency or any other required care, everyone was always very friendly, kind, caring and compassionate with him. I am very thankful for the staff we have here at Valley Regional and the CARE he was given whenever he came in.

My family and I will be comforted to know he passed without pain and was able to pass with dignity and we were treated especially well by the ICU staff during his dying process. This is not an experience I wish upon anyone to have to go thru, but I am truly appreciative of all that the staff did for my brother over the years.

A Letter to Mary Schissel, RN for Connecticut Valley Home Care

I would like to say a huge "Thank You" for your help the day you took my blood pressure at the Newport Senior Center. I do not know if you remember, but it was quite high at 190 over 90. You took the pressure two times and the second time it was even higher. You strongly recommended that I see a doctor even if it was not my regular doctor. Thank you so much for your caring attitude. I had not been feeling well for a while, but did not see the doctor until your strong suggestion made me realize I really should go. The following week I ended up in the hospital as a patient. My blood sodium level was very low and this could have been a really big problem for me. The sodium was replaced over a two-day stay in the hospital. My doctor said some people with the reading I had could have had seisures and other complications. I believe having the clinic [CVHC] provides is a great asset to the Newport Senior Center, and I truly believe you saved me from possible long term complications from this episode. I hope your agency can continue to provide us at the senior center, with these valuable monitoring sessions. Thank you so much !!!!

CVHC Hospice, through the eyes of a family member

"...I saw for a moment, the emotional pain, and great strength on Donna Lemay's face [CVHC Hospice nurse] when she told [my cousin] Dottie and her son, Frankie, it was time to make her plans as to where Dottie wanted to be when she died. I observed a very professional nurse and, at the same time, a very loving and caring person who knew Dottie as a friend and fellow health care provider, do her job as I knew she must have done so many times before in a calm, quiet, comforting voice. So much so, that she put us all at ease at a sad and difficult time.

Cherie Leavitt [CVHC Hospice nurse] and Donna, though I know they were doing what they were trained to do on Friday, the 21st of March, made very sure Dotti's dignity was maintained as they readied her body to pass from this world into the next, making sure she was clean, comfortable and pain free. They made sure she was presentable, just as I know Dottie herself had done for countless people during their hours before death. This time it was Dottie's turn, she was on the receiving side the hours before death.

And of course Dottie being Dottie, though asleep at the time, rallied and remained with us for another day...stubborn...staying until she was ready to leave...she'd have her way as usual, while all of us staring open mouthed, shaking our heads in disbelief at her great strength in the face of death. I watched Dottie "grip" the sheets to hold herself upright. As she rallied she never "picked" at them; she held fast...she was not ready to let go.

I watched in wonder as Donna Moulton, being ever so thoughtful and truthful, explained to Dottie's granddaughter, being very conscious of her words so this young lady would understand what was happening to her grandmother - the stages the body goes through before death, telling her not to be afraid, it's okay to be angry, it's okay to be sad, telling her that she was making sure that Grammy was not in pain. All the emotions that the rest of us were experiencing too, she explained to this little girl. And in doing so, comforted us all...giving us strength to face the night.

I thank you [Donna Moulton, Donna Lemay and Cherie Leavitt] for the wonderful care you gave to Dottie and to us all. You touched my heart even though it was breaking, as I watched my very strong, stubborn cousin fight her last fight against cancer, and yet, win in so many ways. I'm as proud of her, as she faced death, as I am with how she faced life; with great strength...never veering from her path.

As Donna Moulton said on the night of Saturday, the 22nd, "Some wonderful friendships have been made the last few days." She was right. The Wizard of Oz was on that night, and we were watching Dorothy battle the "Wicked Witch" as we battled with our emotions, knowing we too, would have to let her go. We all helped each other, before and after, Dottie took that final step into heaven. We could not have done so without all of you. Thank you."

"Four States and Two Overnights"

Just how far would you travel to seek medical care from your doctor? For Frank and Maureen Amirault the answer is "four states and two overnights".

"We had taken him to all kinds of doctors; we were frantic," stated Maureen Amirault about her husband's condition. "We'd be walking along and then he would just fall unconscious - no warning, nothing."

Frank Amirault went from a first episode in 1985 to December of 2005 knowing only that these unexpected unconscious spells tended to occur when he was walking.

"By 2003-2004, I probably had one episode a month," Frank recalled.

While taking four to five medications a day to control significantly low potassium and significantly high blood pressure levels, none of the medications reached the true cause of his condition.

"One time we were in a hotel, walking down the corridor, and I just collapsed," he said. "That was 'the big one' in 2005 - I ended up in the hospital with a potassium level that was non-existent and my blood pressure had dropped to 60 over 40."

"Five doctors and four nurses worked on him," added Maureen.

After stabilizing him, a Massachusetts kidney specialist was contacted. However, he recognized that Frank's condition was not kidney related, but could potentially be a hormonal (endocrine) issue.

"Then we were referred to her [motioning to Dr. Colleen Digman]. She was the first to say, 'I think I know what the problem is." With a referral to Dr. Colleen Digman, Frank underwent a series of tests to identify and confirm the diagnosis, and then locate the origin of his condition. With her accurate diagnosis of Primary Hyperaldosteronism, Dr. Digman prescribed one medication, which now regulates Frank's potassium level, eliminated the unconscious episodes, and returned his blood pressure to a normal level.

"It's a pretty amazing thing to have your husband healthy again and know the problem. We see her twice a year for follow-ups. And now she's caring for my thyroid condition," commented Maureen.

"I told Dr. Digman four states and two overnights - that's how far I would travel for her care," Frank added.

After moving to another state, the Amiraults now travel three hours and 25 minutes to see the doctor they credit with solving a life-altering medical problem and adding years to Frank's life, not to mention their soon-to-celebrate 30-year marriage.

Dr. Digman is an endocrinologist at Associates in Medicine, an outpatient program of Valley Regional Hospital. Dr. Digman recently joined VRH in July after practicing in Massachusetts, where she first met the Amiraults.

Welcoming our New Son

On behalf of [our newborn son], we would like to thank all of the nurses and doctors that made the safe and loving delivery of our son possible. We would also like to say that the care and service of the nurses was absolutely great. You all have made the stay here at Valley Regional the easiest you can. We cannot thank all of you enough. If we have another baby in the future, we would not hesitate to choose Valley Regional as our choice for a hospital. Thank you all so much!

Casey Champney & James Perry III

A Patient Letter to our President & CEO

I am writing this letter in regards to a visit to the Valley Regional Hospital on Jan. 20, 2009. I had surgery scheduled at 7:30. I arrived at 6:30am. From the moment I arrived to the moment I left I was handled professionally and with much care. I was very impressed with your staff that I wanted to let you know. People are sometimes so quick to complain because something didn't go their way and very seldom do you receive complements.

A lady named Kathy waited on me first in the Same Day Surgery prep room. She was such a nice person and very personable. She did everything you could think of to make me comfortable and ready for my surgery. She stayed with me until they took me into the operating room.

Then a lady, Rebecca, I think - I'm really not sure if that was her correct name. She greeted me just outside the operating rooms. She was very pleasant as well. Dennis was my anesthesiologist. Very professional and nice person as well, I had been told from a friend that he was very good at what he does and I was lucky to have had him as my anesthesiologist.

John Houde was my surgeon. He has an amazing bedside manner for a doctor. He is very good at what he does. I can't thank him enough for what he has done for me.

When I woke back up from my surgery I was waited on by ladies, Kathy and Lisa. The Kathy this time was a different Kathy. These ladies were also awesome. If I ever have to go there again, these are the ladies I would want waiting on me. They were so nice and good at what they do. They made my stay very comfortable and pleasant.

Every person I mentioned in this letter told me what they were doing before they did it, why there were doing it, and if I had any questions. I really can't express in a letter how much I appreciated each and every one of them, and how pleased I was with them all. I would like to ask from you if you could do that for me. Being there superior I feel that it would be more meaningful coming from you. If there is a letter of commendable acts that can be given to them, I would like that done if at all possible. If not, I would like if they could at least be commended for what they did, verbally. You had a great staff that day and sometimes it is nice to tell them.

With much appreciation, Teresa Rock