As a patient, admitted to 7 Southeast as well as employed as Director of Professional Coding @ Lahey. I was diagnosed with Spontaneous Carotid Artery Dissection 2nd to Horner's Syndrome, with a mass (Lump) found on throat area.

I am a very positive person; however this diagnosis made it hard not to be negative. Courtney Peledge was a bright light, always optimistic and cared for me with dignity and compassion.

...I would like to share my personal patient experience at Lahey Burlington with you. Last week I found myself, not only as a fairly new colleague to Lahey, but as a scared patient being admitted.

Waking up more tired than usual on Saturday, the 14th of December, I felt a little "funny", a little off, but excited to go holiday shopping with my 10 year old daughter, and little sister. My husband, and 11 year old son had gone to NH for the weekend, it was just a girl's weekend! When I stopped by the mirror, what looked back at me caused immediate panic. It looked as if I had a stroke. My right eye had 60 to 70% reduced dilation and there was pronounced drooping of my right eyelid and cheek. I was sure I was having or had a stroke. I called a doctor who said get to the nearest Emergency Department, it sounds like Bell's palsy or some neurological deficit. I went to my little girl, who was watching television and knelt down to ask her to get dressed and go to the neighbor's. Momma needed to go to the doctor I said. With tears in her eyes, she cried, what happened to you? What's happening to you? What do you say other than I'll be okay; I love you forever and ever. I honestly didn't know if I would see her again with all my facilities intact or even at all.

I called my husband, relayed the events, he packed up my son and would be back in three hours. I was definitely afraid and didn't know what was happening to me. I have to tell you, my husband is the rational, calm one in our family and is famous for saying "the milk hasn't spilt" when I get worked up over something that may occur, then when something does happen, he says "the milk is spilt, there is nothing you can do now but clean it up and move on". I couldn't help but think, I don't know how this split or how anyone will figure out how to clean it up?

Next it was time to make a destination choice. My residence is in close proximity to Winchester, Melrose/Wakefield and Lahey Hospitals. Winchester being the closest, Melrose, where I delivered my two children and Lahey, where I knew, first hand from working with them, had the smartest neurology providers in New England. Lahey it was.

The ED was full as usual; the nurses were busy, but not so busy that they weren't comforting and positive. It did however, need some housekeeping. As I waited for an ED provider, wondering if the reduced dilation could lead to blindness (panic) I sent an email that simply stated "Are you working today by chance?", "I had a medical question I wanted to pass by you about droopy eye with muscle weakness and reduced dilation." Sounds like Horner's Syndrome he said two minutes later. Surprised to find out the symptoms were mine, he continued, you'll need a Neurology Consult Dr. Butler arrives within the hour, you need a CT and Chest x-ray done within two hours. Carotid Artery Dissection diagnosed, mass on neck identified. All of this thanks to one of the hardest working, kindest, down to earth doctors I am privileged to work with, Jeffrey Marx, who of course was working on a Saturday.

Dr. Butler then said I need to be on Heparin and that I needed an MRI. I was then admitted to the greatest floor on Lahey - 7 Southeast. First I was under the care of Alex, who described my next few hours, then Cathy Bennett, who should have been a comedian, but glad she chose nursing, Lisa M. from Infusion, so patient and she took my mind off of what was happening with light conversation, Lisa Price, RN, changed my IV so gently, I barely felt it, CindyLou from Blood Lab had the greatest upbeat personality.
Courtney the Charge Nurse sticks out the most. The things she does for patients each day without complaint, the care she gave to me, a stranger, I so respect her and her Nursing Colleagues, they are amazing. Marq Bittarelli, from Transport, what a fun ride down to a not so fun MRI test, he spoke so positively about working at Lahey, Maryanne Dickinson, MRI Technologist, explained everything that would happen and why and I really appreciated that. It wasn't her doing but she apologized that the lab closed at 11 the night before and I had to go through the night not knowing if I had a stroke or not and what the damage was if any.

Dr. Zabar was extremely patient and kind as he explained what my prognosis was and treated me with dignity as I struggled for a moment. Dr. Jewell also stopped by, as a fellow colleague, explaining why I did not want or need his department involved in my care, he is just such a standup guy. All of your providers are so very grounded. There are no pedestals for them, they stand on common ground with the rest of us, and it is breathtaking coming from a variety of other hospital institutions. Johanna Moulton the Discharge Nurse let me know exactly what I would need to do after discharge in such a way that I remembered everything she said.

Dr. Grant, what I would like you to have read between these lines, is that, as a patient, I felt the care from the Lahey staff, felt as in atmosphere, felt the compassion through touch and tone of voice, felt the positive attitude through the laughter and felt the patience required to deal with all types of people going through different types of issues. I believe these folks love what they do and they do it well. Your staff, my colleagues, my caregivers provide excellent patient care.

My family wishes to thank all of these fine people for taking care of me and allowing me to continue on the path as a wife and mother. I personally thank you for allowing me to work alongside such selfless people.