Grateful patient delivers gift to Hampden Medical Center Intensive Care Unit team
Hampden Medical Center Medical Intensive Care Unit staff got a surprise thank you visit from a very satisfied patient in June. Lora Lendvay, accompanied by her husband Joe, delivered a fruit basket to the care team that she says “saved her life.” The two were met with hugs and big smiles.
Lora entered the Hampden Emergency Department on May 23 with pneumonia and shortness of breath and was quickly diagnosed with respiratory failure. Dr. Jed Zeigler, Emergency Department physician, placed her on a ventilator. She spent a week in the Intensive Care Unit. Lora and Joe say they are grateful to everyone who provided excellent care, helping her return home quickly and ultimately get back to work. The couple wanted to say thank you with a special treat.
Lora is petite in stature, but she was mighty in her fight to recuperate. The nurses who took care of her say they rarely see ventilated patients giving frequent thumbs-ups, a testament to her positive outlook. Nurse Matthew Cassatt, who extubated Lora, was happy to spend time with the healthy Lora. “We don’t usually get to see our patients after they leave. This is special,” Cassatt said.
During a difficult health issue, patients and their caregivers often form a strong bond. This connection goes just a bit further ─ both Lendvays work in health care and met at Penn State! That’s a true blue and white story.
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