My daughter brought me into the Clark Memorial Emergency Center, where I presented with excruciating pain, in addition to nausea, and overall sense of being terrified. All of the hospital staff, including the staff of the ED treated me so kindly and got me pain medication very quickly. That morning, I had surgery at Norton Colorectal. I had a hemorrhoidectomy of multiple hemorrhoids, that were internal and external. It was an outpatient procedure, and I was sent home that morning. By the day's end, I was in excruciating pain, and also could not void. That is when my daughter brought me to Clark ED.

I was eventually admitted inpatient where I resided on the 2nd floor. I had 3 staff members who were outstanding to me: my nurse, Brenda, and the doctor. The doctor chose to admit me for pain control and various reasons, when my own surgeon didn’t seem even to care. He called her personally and told her of my distress when she told him, “this surgery is painful, send her back home and tell her to take the medication I prescribed." When I found this out, I was appalled. As an RN myself, as healthcare professionals, we have to recognize that not all patients are the same. This doctor realized that and knew I was unable to go home and care for myself. He admitted me, and I was provided excellent pain control with the use of a pain pump. My bottom/rectum was so swollen and in pain that I was horrified to have a bowel movement. I had my first one up on the floor where I screamed bloody murder, and Nurse Brenda actually stayed in the bathroom with me and held my hand while I defecated. I screamed and cried. I have had multiple childbirths, and none were this painful. Brenda would talk to me and provide active listening, and the doctor fought hard for me. I am so grateful for him and his kind heart and soul: his ability to speak kind words and provide assurance is phenomenal. He really went to bat for me. I was eventually transferred back to Norton Women and Children’s, where I am currently.