Kristine Patten
February 2014
Kristine
Patten
,
RN
Neuroscience CCU
Harborview Medical Center, UW Medicine
Seattle
,
WA
United States

 

 

 

On the weekend of "Labor Day" I had a catastrophic hiking accident, in the Olympic National Park. I was air-lifted by Coast Guard helicopter to Harborview Medical Center. Thanks to my wife, my children who helped her, hikers, the rangers, the rescuing team and Harborview Medical Center teams who saved my life, I'm here today, smiling. I spent 3 weeks in the ICU, sedated; have gone through 2 major surgeries, tons of titanium in my spine and in my head and a long rehab process.

Back in September I was hospitalized in Acute Care Neurosciences for a few days, to get stronger before starting my rehabilitation process in 4 West, which I then continued as an outpatient.

I later I had another surgery to fix CSF leaks. This surgery was very long and it was a successful one. I was hospitalized in ICU for 3 days and then I was transferred to Acute Care Neurosciences.

When I arrived to Neurosciences floor I realized that I knew the face of the nurse who attended me. It was Kristine who took care of me in my first hospitalization.

It was a great experience for me. She immediately helped me to build my self-confidence after transfer. Kristine attended to me for 3 days and helped me to be stronger and feel better. I would like to thank Kristine and your wonderful team.