Foundation

One of the things that we know by multiple different studies recently is that about 54% of our physicians within the United States are burned out. And at the core of that is the loss of joy, meaning, and purpose in their work. And one way to better take care of yourself is to surround yourself with really supportive, connected people. 

We were told by the doctor when we arrived that it was very possible she would not make it. 

They said we're going to leave you and your husband alone with her, and they proceeded to go out and shut the door. And so with my husband and I on either side of her, we each held her hand, and we told her how much we loved her. And I said to her, go find Glenn. Your husband's waiting for you. Then she died. 

During those three days, as we spent time with her, I thought of the incredible care she received from the nursing staff. They treated her with such respect, dignity, and love. This is a special message to Erin Berning. My husband and I will never forget the incredible care you gave to my mom, also the kindness you showed to my husband and I upon [? Nola ?] [? Bryant's ?] death. And we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We will never forget that. 

I had a CT Scan just to eliminate a few things before my doctor sent me on to a specialist. And the CT scan showed that I was full of cancer. And when she called, she cried, and I cried. We just tried to work through it together. 

That kind of response means everything. The fact that she was so understanding and understanding with my husband. And we were all frightened. She's my physician, but she's also my friend. Dr. Wrobbel, you just cannot imagine how important you've been to me and my family these past 13 months. Your support has meant everything to us. Thank you. 

You know, if you're 90 and you don't have great mobility, I guess that's kind of a given. See, this is what you get when you get knee surgery. You get a garden crew to come in. This started when I was 50. If you've got someplace to go, bad knees suck. My knees were so bad that one couldn't help the other. I'm an avid gardener. For a year and a half, I didn't garden anything. So yeah, it works on you. 

He said, I can't fix you anymore. You need new knees. February 7th, I got a double knee replacement. He gave me back my life. I'm going to start bawling, because that's exactly how I feel when I look at him. The first time I saw him after surgery, I started bawling-- not because it hurt, because I could tell it wasn't going to hurt. 

So yeah, it's huge. I mean, he knows. He gave me a big hug. And he looked at me, he says, this is why I do what I do. And I get that. Dr. Harms, I feel totally comfortable with you. You are a great doctor. And I appreciate what you've done for me. And I'm not sad. I'm happy. So there. That's all I got. 

My mom was 92 years old. She had a finger. So when she would talk to you, it was like this. 

Because it had been cut when she was a child out on the farm. They couldn't fix it. 

Mm-hmm. So as nurses and doctors were coming in, we had some people tell us that, that woman is very nice, but I think she-- every time I come in, she is actually giving me the finger. Because she also was one that used her hands a lot. And she fell and broke her hip. With some of her other health concerns, they did say that it would be a health risk and gave it 50/50. And he came out and I just remember he was also in tears. And he was hugging us and-- very hard for all of us. 

Our family, to this day-- we're still so very grateful of the care that our mom received. There was no regrets when we walked out of this hospital, because we just knew she had the best care. 

Thank you, Dr. Spielmam-- Dr. John Spielman. Because we think you rock. 

Thank you from the bottom of our heart for what you gave us. 

And our family. 

How are you? Good. Are you ready for speech? My daughter's name is [? Adeline ?] [? Lungren. ?] And she's seven years old. 

Well, come on back! 

She's been going to Courage Kenny for speech therapy for two years. She loves it. 

Cheetahs. 

Cheetahs-- no. 

No? 

To see the pride and the joy within her-- 

How about boats? 

Boats. 

Being able to do something on her own makes me feel great as a mom. The quality of care that she's getting-- we would drive miles, and miles, and miles for that. 

I'm going to start a puppet show. 

That person has become a friend. That person has become a role model. That person is a teacher, an educator. She's become a part of the family. Hi, Manda, it's Jessica [? Lungren. ?] And we just wanted to thank you for the services that you provide for [? Adeline ?] [? Lungren ?] and everything that you do for our family inside and outside of Courage Kenny. And we want to just truly thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You've become a family member, and we appreciate everything you do for us. Thank you. 

I call her the snake charmer. And she just comes in regardless of what is happening emotionally and energy-wise in our building and just calms us all down and makes us happy. 

So it highlights this whole table. 

When the students see her, they know that what they're going to be doing that day is something that they're going to enjoy-- they're going to like participating in. 

Well, me, personally, she's helped within the mindfulness training and within [INAUDIBLE]. The activities that we did to really open our minds and lift up some of the weight off our shoulders-- did a real good job with that. 

I think that all of us actually listen to her-- or she'll talk to us about breathing and she'll feel it in the most tense places and feel it all the way in your fingertips. And I don't know-- just her voice and the way that she says it actually works. 

It's really helped me at times, especially lately, in a lot of things coming at me from every direction. And at times, it feels like I can't do it. Taking a moment to-- not forget, but just get away for a minute and just relax and think. That gives me a chance to get through this, and I want to become stronger and better as an individual. 

Stacy, I just want to thank you for coming and helping with Phoenix. And you've actually helped me, I think, in more ways than you know. And I'm really thankful for you. 

Thank you for all that you've done for me, and helping me out, and the techniques that I've taken away. I really appreciate that, and I don't think I can thank you enough for the times it's already helped me out and saved my butt a little bit. 

I was preparing for a c-section that was supposed to occur on the 21st-- the next day. So my husband and I had just dropped our kids off at my parents' house. I told my husband I was having some chest pain, and that's the last thing I remember. 

I went to go pick her up, and she was just pure dead weight. I couldn't lift her. So at that point, obviously I went right for the phone. I called 911 to get them on their way as fast as I could. 

I had a cardiac arrest. 

[SIRENS] 

They were having a very hard time finding a heartbeat for my daughter, so there weren't sure if she was alive at all. I remember being very nervous. It's tough to come by a miracle. How do you even get two? 

[BABY CRYING] 

I [INAUDIBLE] have a daughter, and she is alive. So that was, obviously, terrific news. 

They all saved my life. They saved my daughter's life. I don't know what would have happened if I had been anywhere else. 

I just want to thank everyone who was there to see my wife and baby that day. It was very hard for me and very hard for everyone here. But I know for a fact they wouldn't have been here if you guys [INAUDIBLE] so quickly and done such a great job. And I think about that all the time. Thanks. 

So at this time, it's really important for me to thank everybody within the Buffalo Hospital organization. Bounce Back and the way that we take care of our community and the way that we take care of each other could not even remotely be done without every one of the people who I work with everyday. And I am so proud to say that I am member of Buffalo Hospital and so proud to work alongside every one of you.