Caring for Mom: A family's experience of care provided at Rutherford Regional

Rutherfordton. The sweet, charming little town with Rutherford Regional Medical Center - the little hospital that could. My 81-year old mother suffered a catastrophic medical emergency while on vacation at Lake Lure and found herself in emergency surgery and in the ICU for 2 weeks (most of it on a ventilator). As my sister and I made the 7+ hour trek from coastal Virginia, all I could think is we need to get Mom to a major medical center immediately. But the universe had a different plan. Mom stayed right here at Rutherford Regional for a month where she got the best care I have ever seen at any hospital anywhere. Starting with the impossibly young surgeon who saved her life, to the nursing staff that treated her with attention and kindness that went out of style decades ago, to the devoted hospitalists who never gave up even when we had lost all hope.

Every single person at RR was special - Nurse Earlene who said, "I treat my patients the way I would want my mother treated;" and all of the nurses who combed Mom's hair daily, talked us down from the mountain of fear, brought us tissues when we were crying; and the doctors who listened to and considered all of our thoughts and ideas; and the dedicated PT who helped Mom daily, including Easter Sunday; and the housekeeping staff member who offered to bring us coffee and tea after mopping the room.

The pure goodness of every single person we met at this special hospital, and in this town, comforted us every single day. Thank You to the staff of Rutherford Regional, to Russell and Jim at the Carrier Houses B&B (our home and haven away from home), and to all of the wonderful people of Rutherfordton for welcoming us, caring for us, and inspiring us. We will never forget you!