For the past few days before my birthday I was having bad allergies and also some terrible heartburn. I had taken Allerga D the past two days and had not slept at all because of the medicine. My wife, Laumpoon and I went for an hour long walk in our neighborhood that morning. It was a beautiful morning, clear and sunny with all the trees budding. We finished the walk and I went to see my coffee drinking buddies at the McDonalds around 8am.
When I arrived the heartburn seemed to be spreading. I got some coffee and went to my seat. My buddy Ken Ruple had gone to get a birthday cake for me. I sat next to Pastor Dan Wells but I was not comfortable, I went to the bathroom and started to have dry heaves. My entire chest was burning and I thought I was having an allergy attack. I came back and asked Pastor Dan to take me to my doctor just across the street about 100 or so feet from McDonalds.
| My name is Kathleen and I work in the PBX office at Bergan. I recently was a patient at Bergan Mercy Medical Center from April 22-24, 2010. My experience was excellent. I felt special the whole time.
I started in the Access Center. The employee who gathered my insurance information was nice and very professional. I then went back to the patient room in the Access Center and I had two nurses who had quite a bit of experience ask me further questions and one of the nurses got my IV started. She did an excellent job. When they can nail that IV the first time it’s great! I was then wheeled upstairs in a warm blanket to 4E. Carrie, Kathy and Crystal were the two nurses and tech that I remember taking good care of me. All the nurses and techs did a great job. I like having their nurse/tech names listed on white board with phone numbers.
I needed a blood transfusion and received four pints of blood. My blood count went from 6 to 10. Dr. John Ferry did my scan of the upper GI and discovered I had 13 ulcers. The ulcers were not bleeding at the time.
The Procedure Center had a busy day that day and he fit me in between patients. The Procedure Center does between 20-40 procedures each day and this was the 31st procedure that Friday afternoon. Dr. McNamara, my doctor, came in and released me to go back to work the next day at my request.
The staff on 4E floor did an excellent job in caring for me and they got me out by noon on Saturday. I was in the hospital two days and back to work the very next day! Thank you everyone who helped me. Everyone I talked to, I mentioned that we were lucky to be part of an organization that ranked in the top 100 hospitals in the U.S. Now I know why!! |
 Dillon Schuman, an 18-year old college student, never thought he would be back in the rehabilitation center after he left 3 years ago following a car accident. His first brain injury brought him to Immanuel Rehabilitation Center in 2006 where he made a full recovery, finished high school, and held several jobs. After high school, Dillon chose to attend the University of Nebraska taking general courses working towards finding a major. Dillon was driving to a friend's house on November 21st, 2009 when he was hit by a car which resulted in his fourth brain injury and required another inpatient rehabilitation stay.
While at Immanuel Rehabilitation Center, Dillon worked with a variety of therapies including physical, occupational, speech and aquatics to regain his ability to walk, climb stairs, maintain attention and problem solve. Dillon's goal is to return to UNL to resume his coursework as he decides on a major.
Julie Harms, a physical therapist that worked with Dillon throughout both of his rehab, says "Dillon was a blast to work with. He was so motivated and was willing to work hard in therapy. I wish him well in the future!"
 Read Dillon's letter to the staff at the Immanuel Rehabilitation Center.
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I was scheduled to be induced with my third child on Thursday March 4th, 2010. When we got to Lakeside and got checked in, I was a little nervous, as this was my first time being induced. We met our nurse, Amy R. who stated that she was going to be with us for the whole day. As it turns out, I was already having contractions and in the early stages of labor.
Amy was so wonderful in making both my husband and I feel so comfortable. She was both knowledgeable and caring, understanding exactly what kind of delivery experience I wanted to have and she was committed to making it happen. After spending the better part of the day with us and talking, we all realized that she had been one of our nurses at Immanuel where we had our first son 6 years ago! It was nearing the end of her shift and we were all hoping that the baby would come before she was done for the day at 7 p.m.
At 6:13 p.m., Samuel entered the world in just the manner I had wanted and with a wonderfully supportive nurse helping to make it possible. We were sad to see her go that evening as she had been such a positive influence all day long, I felt so relaxed and at ease. The care we received for the rest of stay was wonderful as well - everyone who came in contact with us was so supportive and caring - almost makes you want to stay longer!
All three of my children were born at Alegent Hospitals, one at Immanuel and now two at Lakeside. I can't compliment you all enough on the level of care and service that was provided. Thank you!
-Elizabeth
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Dr. Taggart with Ava
When I became pregnant again in 2007, there was a lot of emotion: excitement and fear. Having lost two babies in the first trimester prior to this pregnancy, I faced this pregnancy with a lot of trepidation. I was scared but I knew I was in excellent hands. Dr. Heather Taggart is my OBGYN and I felt confident in her plan for me and my baby. After my second miscarriage, Dr. Taggart became my advocate to the insurance company and pushed for genetic testing. Normally, insurance companies don't want to pay for genetic testing until there has been three or more miscarriages. Dr. Taggart did not want to see me go through another tough loss and she wrote letters to the insurance company and they approved the testing. The testing showed that I had a blood clotting disorder, called MTHFR. Dr. Taggart's nurse Diane called me to tell me what the test had found and that I would be on a medicinal course for the rest of my life. However, pregnancy was still possible with these medications.
After a few months on the medications, we conceived. This is where the fear set in, not wanting to experience again the losses we had in the past. The weeks ticked by and I was soon into my 2nd trimester. Those weeks were especially hard as we had ultrasounds to check the baby's progress. In the 2nd trimester, I went to visit Dr. Alfred Fleming of Maternal Fetal Specialists at Bergan. Dr. Fleming even shared that he too had the genetic condition MTHFR. It made me feel a little more normal to know I wasn't alone, even though I was the one pregnant. We soon discovered we were having a baby girl to add to our family. We already had one little girl, whom Dr. Fleming said was a true miracle because most people with MTHFR do not have successful pregnancies without medication to thin the blood. I continued to see Dr. Fleming and Dr. Taggart throughout my pregnancy and they and their nursing staff put me at ease.
On an icy morning in December, the day for my induction finally came. I was again met with the fear that something might go wrong. I was not going to feel better until my baby girl was in my arms. When I arrived at Midlands Hospital on the Family Birth Unit, I was met by a wonderful nurse, Michelle, who took care of me during my induction and labor. Colleen, the operations director of the unit was right there too to ease my fears. She was my baby's nurse and knowing Colleen like I do; I was at ease knowing my baby was in the best hands. Only when my baby girl was laid in my arms did I finally relax for the first time in almost a year. She was here and she was beautiful.
I can never fully express how much the care of all the people involved in that pregnancy meant to me. From Dr. Taggart and Dr. Fleming, Dr. Taggart’s nurse, Diane, all the wonderful nurses at Midlands Family Birth, I am so grateful for them and the care that they gave. Today, my daughter Ava is two years old. She is full of joy and laughter. She and her older sister make my heart melt every time I hear, I love you sissy. I say it often to people when I talk about Dr. Taggart, if it weren't for her, I don't think I would have my little girl here today and for that I will be forever grateful. Born in December 2007, she is the best gift I will ever receive for Christmas.
-Leigh Ann |
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Alegent Health is a faith-based health ministry sponsored by Catholic Health Initiatives and Immanuel.
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