Raves, Rants & Roses

RAVES: Send roses for Mother Frances, especially to the Nuclear Medicine Staff. Last Friday I was sent to Mother Frances Hospital for a nuclear stress test, and the staff there is exceptional.

To Dr. Crouch, cardiologist, Laura Whitfield, P.A., Brandi, Jean (or Jana) and two other technicians who I don't remember their name, thank you is just simply not enough for the great treatment I was given by you all. I so terrified to take another stress test and was not just treated like another patient but a person with real concerns about the test.

I took a nuclear stress test at another hospital about four years ago and really had a tough time. They had me on the bed lying flat for at least 30 minutes; my heart felt like it was going to explode. I stopped looking at the clock after 30 minutes and concentrated on staying alive.

I could barely breathe; it was a horrible experience. Thinking that this stress test would be the same way, I was frightened to death.

Laura Whitfield came down and explained exactly what they would do and how I would feel and for how long. When she said they should be able to get my heart rate up in about 10 minutes, I could not believe it; she said it might take a minute or two longer but no more. It did take 11 1/2 minutes. During this time all four technicians, Dr. Crouch were there and of course Laura Whitefield.

I was sitting up in the bed the whole time and was talking to everybody and they were talking to me. Laura kept me informed about my progress, told me I was doing good and would ask how I felt. When it was over Brandi, one of the techs called my daughter-in-law, Anita Mallard and told her everything went great and I was fine. Anita also works at the hospital, in another department.

Norma Mallard
Troup