Hospital Experience Exceeds Expectations

The hospital that I am telling most of this story about is the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa. It is connected with The University of Iowa Medical School, located in Iowa City. This Iowa hospital is well-known and sends knowledgeable new doctors out into the world. The University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics connects with the world in a variety of medical avenues with its research and studies. Without the vast knowledge, personal care and ethics of the doctors at this hospital in Iowa, my husband would not have survived.

Acute pancreatitus kept Roger in hospitals from July 1 until Thanksgiving.

Just before Labor Day our family knew, without being told, that his condition was declining rapidly. Our long time GP, Dr. Jeff Schoon, agreed to a quick meeting. He also agreed that for any chance of survival, Roger should be transferred from Des Moines to The University of Iowa Hospital at Iowa City, Iowa. The Des Moines docs did not have enough experience, they felt - and we were grateful with their honesty, for an operation to be successful here.

We'd had serious ups and downs with the doctors and hospitals. Thankfully, most of those working with us were above the norm in helping him and keeping us informed. You quickly learn that you must track everything that happens daily. You must write down all docs, medicines, what they tell you and questions about what they don't. That list could go on and on. You cannot get whiny but you must somehow learn the facts.

Schoon talked with Roger's various other specialists and we were told they'd decided he would go to Iowa City later in the day. I went home to pack a bag. But barely was I in the door, when my daughters called saying to get back to the hospital. The hospital was transferring dad to The University of Iowa Hospital at Iowa City immediately.

I rode in the ambulance and most everything that could go wrong on a 2 hour ambulance trip did. Somehow he survived. The doctor for his case, Dr Scott-Connor met us in ER, then quickly left. First, we were told, they were going to do immediate surgery. We waited what seemed like a long time if they were going to do immediate surgery. Then we were told they wanted to wait for more tests. This took some time and our family was scared, but there was nothing to do but pray. Then they came and told us this story.

Roger should be operated on immediately. Dr. Scott-Connor had experience with this type of pancreatic surgery while working with famous docs on the east coast. She believed she could save Roger, but it would be tough.

Then came the hooker. Dr. Scott-Connor looked us straight in eye. "A young man is coming in with very severe injuries suffered in an accident. If I don't operate on him now, he will likely die. But if I do, most likely his three little kids will have a very healthy dad." She also told us that she could do Roger's surgery after she'd finished with the young man. It would probably be around midnight.

My daughters looked at me. One said, well, Dad is 63 and has had a great life. It's difficult but we know the answer. The other daughter somehow had her head on and asked Dr. Scott-Connor if her dad would survive until morning and if so, maybe it would be best to do dad's surgery after she'd had a little rest?

Dr.Scott-Connor answered, with a big sigh, that truthfully it would be extremely difficult for her to do two very difficult surgeries back to back this late at night.

So on Labor Day Roger had his surgery to remove the dead parts of his pancreas, as well as the cancerous areas. Doctors say the pancreas is a part of your body they really don't like to mess with. Dr.Scott-Connor did her best. She thought she had a clean cut. But once again we almost lost him.

We are so grateful for the diligence of those at the University Hospital. He did survive because of his determination and the determination of all those who put forth every effort to help my husband.

Dr. Scott-Connor came to his bedside any time night or day. Often it was late in the evening.

She would sit down and talk to him. She asked him what he wanted to do most with his life. He told her his youngest daughter was getting married in March. He wanted to be able to walk down the aisle with her. She smiled at him and tried to assure him that if they both worked their hardest, he'd be sporting his Sunday best with his daughter on his arm.

Nothing was easy. Of course he couldn't eat and even though he'd been a big, strong and powerful man, all of that was gone. He loved his doctor and, luckily would do anything she asked. The nurses and doctors knew that his case was a "book case" for the doctor and they applauded his work ethic. He wouldn't give up and when the young interns came by he would easily share all he knew.

They all laughed at his special joke, "What was the name of the man who made these dang hospital gowns?" Even if they'd heard Roger's little joke a thousand times - and who knows, they probably had - they give a big belly laugh when he answered, "Dr. Seemore Butts."

Sad to say, Dr.Scott-Connor found out several weeks later that Roger would have to have a second surgery. The films showed more cancerous cells or some they didn't get. Again, we all went through the second page of the same story.

On the morning before Thanksgiving, Roger was released from the University of Iowa Hospitals. Dr. Scott-Connor came into the room, sat on his bed and actually told him her side of his whole story. We all cried as she said she'd lay awake at night trying to think of what to do to get him better. She told us she shared his case with her colleagues asking them for any assistance they could give her. She'd given her all, as had everyone at the hospital who was in any way involved with his case - and even beyond. She wished him the best and they both hugged. Because we'd almost become as permanent residents of the area, everyone else wished him the best also.

Roger wanted to go home so badly, but because we both knew this hospital as a safe place, we were scared to face the next part of this journey without their knowledge and help. This hospital had been his home.