Cinco De Mayo (May 5th) is the date that is observed to commemorate the Mexican Army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Much like Cinco De Mayo….my recovery and rehabilitation processes have had numerous UNLIKELY VICTORIES!

So it is ironic, and while tragic – also beautiful that my proposed final surgery on my shoulder/scapula/Acromion process was on May 5, 2016. This was the surgery that would also give me MY independence…..from an orthopedic (arm/shoulder) perspective anyway.

Now…to just wait until my follow-up appointment on June 1st to clear me for the Physical Therapy Regimen (exciting stuff).

I continue to be in awe of Regions Hospital and Health Partners system of patient focused care there in St. Paul, Minnesota. Perhaps because my providers there have been so instrumental in being so responsive and progressive in numerous aspects of my care, and continue to be.

On May 5th I underwent the final surgery on my shoulder (hopefully forever) to plate my Acromion Fracture which had gapped and was not healing. This was an unprecedented surgery for my orthopedic surgeon who has a niche in that field specializing in scapula injuries. He stated that the type of plating and procedure during this surgery for the Acromion Reconstruction nonunion fracture he had not done before, and that this repair was in the top 1-2% of complexities despite having an International referral practice for such injuries.

So I want to take the time to thank the folks involved in my care and surgery while in MN this time around. I tried to take diligent notes. If I missed someone, it was not intentional and I appreciate you just as much.

It all begins with how you are welcomed. When you walk into Regions there is ALWAYS someone there to welcome you and ask if they can help. It makes you feel like they are actually glad you are there…..it’s a great feeling when you are full of anxiety about your visit. It kind of preps you to just go with the flow…so to speak.

To Lonnie and her coworker (nurse that brought me back to preop from waiting room); Aneshtesiologist Dr. Mike Scmid and his nurse Anesthetist Marlene; Pre-op nurses Beckie, and Jackie…..and let’s not forget Lynette F who FINALLY got the IV started successfully; Amelia (who cleaned the surgery site); the Orthopedic Fellow (or Nurse don’t remember) Kyle you guys are all amazing and helped me relax before taking that final plunge to the Operating Room.

To my Trauma team in the Operating Room, including Dr. Peter Cole, THANK YOU for making me better and keeping me alive. I know I am a difficult and complex case. You never gave up on me or dismissed me, or made me feel embarrassed about anything. You are amazing and that is not even a strong enough word to describe your abilities and how much I am truly appreciative.

On the floor the first Nurse I had was named Mike. He had dark beautiful hair and a gentle spirit. He was very attentive along with his PCA Sandra “Sandy” and Bretta the respiratory therapist. I also want to thank Aron for my first meal after surviving surgery. You are a gem. I want to thank Annie for the Aromatherapy and appreciate her professionalism when I did not want her as my nurse due to my January experience with her. I didn’t immediately remember her name…but did her face and voice. Upon reviewing my notes I realized why she was familiar. I want to thank the Charge Nurse of the floor who was a patient listener and got me another Nurse who was awesome to deal with; I want to thank Katie from the lab; and Chian from transport (super nice person who has a relatively thankless job); I also want to thank Amanda, Tim, and Chris from Xray; Dr. Spilseth the Intern who checked in on me in my room; Thank you to Rachel my nurse and her PCA Uniqua; Jennifer from admitting who had the questions about insurance; Kjirsten the Social worker; Brent and Vic from OT and Meghan and Jenny from PT; a thank you to Kidist as well.

I had many wonderful nurses. The list of names was hard to keep track of….I do want to also thank Diana as well along with her PCA Logann (who ran ice packs for me and I am sure was tired of coming in my room); Logann, Dianna, and Patty who replaced Dianna on her shift. I appreciated the rounding from Dr. Hole. I also want to thank Leah and her nurse trainee Sarah and Logann again (yep got me again !); Scott from RT – thank you for checking on my pulse ox and CPAP; Tim and Jessica who did my CT Scan, and Aric from transport…vroom vroom; thank you to my Nurses Netti who took my vitals and said my nurse and pca (Shelly and Lisa) left (without giving a bedside report); thank you to Ketih and Karen; Lynn Charge Nurse and Night Charge Nurse Melissa;

Thank you also to Shelly my nurse and Lisa her PCA (who kept getting Shelly and later Shelly would say that Lisa never got her once and was apologetic) who were late getting me my post op pain meds by over an hour and taught me how much resilience I really have in this tired body.

Thank you to my nurse Melissa and PCA Jonase (spelling might be wrong on this one)…Thank you to Mai, Kaitlyn Schoeck 2nd year Resident and Jocelyn who worked tirelessly to get together all my take home paperwork; Thank you to Marcus Mittelsteadt 2nd year Resident, and the unforgettable Germaine from transport (what a selfless and patient soul) to medical records, and then to the Hotel Bus waiting for us upon departure from Regions after all was said and done.

A special thank you also to Tina Most and the CARE Team as well. 

Dr. Cole, thank you for visiting me in my hospital room on Mother’s Day (and a Sunday no less and your weekend off).  It meant more than you know.  You sat down and explained everything.  You rock!  You are an Orthopedic Genius.  Blessings Abound for you and yours I am sure.

Source: Cinco De Mayo 2016 : Caren Robinson

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