HOSPITAL: Appreciates excellence

I recently had my world turned upside down, when, with little warning I experienced two heart attacks, the first during the evening of June 10, the second one the following evening.

Having “toughed” it out through the first one, I decided to go to the ER on the 11th. Blood tests showed that, indeed, I’d had a heart attack.

I’m 67 years old, overweight, with type II diabetes and hypertension, both well-controlled with medication. What I didn’t realize is that even though your cholesterol numbers are OK, you can still end up with blocked arteries, requiring stents to open them back up, or worse. The great staff at Kootenai Health attempted that procedure, but encountered too much blockage. So there I sat, my very first admission as a hospital patient, requiring a quadruple bypass, open heart surgery, me!

The surgery was completed so professionally by Dr. Montero, one of KH’s superheroes, and his staff of doctors and nurses. I woke up in the ICU, spending two days there. They actually have you up and walking the day following surgery, using a good walker and nurse. They took excellent care of me from day one, notwithstanding some of the food, as well as the embarrassing situations one has no choice but to endure…

I had surgery on Monday and was discharged Saturday! I would like to recognize Dr. Montero, PA Stu Sharp and all my nurses/CNAs for the exceptional care I received while in their embrace. Kootenai Health rocks!

DAVE SHELDON

Hayden