HCA provides excellent healthcare services throughout Richmond.
I remember the day well.
My young daughter’s doctor walked into the room, pulled up a chair, and sat quietly for what seemed like forever, but it was probably only 5 seconds. He put his hand on her knee as he laid down her chart.
“We’re going to have to perform surgery to get your kidneys working. It’s a very detailed and intricate surgery and hopefully we can save your right kidney. If not, your left kidney will take over for both of them.”
Through blurred vision and shaking hands, she turned to me as if to say, “Why me? Why now?”
Amanda was a junior in college at James Madison University. She had been through several urinary tract and kidney infections over the years, but until now, we had no idea how bad it really was. Apparently she was born with a genetic problem that had caused kidney damage over the years and it was gradually getting worse. The surgery would potentially help correct a blocked tube and save part of the kidney — but not without some serious rerouting and reshaping of the tube .
She now had less than 40% functionality in the kidney, but her doctor said it was still worth saving with the surgery – which was good news.
“How do you do this? How long will the surgery take and what does it involve? What are the chances of success? Is she in danger?”
The questions poured out of my mouth without giving the doctor time to respond. My nerves were shattered and although Amanda was 19, she was still my baby and my heart hurt for her.
The surgery proceeded within a couple of weeks at Chippenham Hospital. Her surgery took place in the heart surgery unit where her doctor could use a state-of-the-art laser surgery equipment – gamma knife equipment. The surgery went well and Amanda recovered with extraordinary speed — mainly because she was so anxious to return to school. She had a little more than 33% functionality remaining in her kidney which was still good news. She went on to complete her junior year at JMU as planned.
I think about that day often and the pain I felt when we heard the news. But I also remember how caring and compassionate she was treated by her doctor, his staff, and the entire staff of the HCA Hospital System. It was one of the most stressful situations of our lives, but the medical system did everything possible to make it easier.
Now, I have a friend who is facing a similar situation with her daughter and it brings back the memories of those days. I can honestly look her in the face and tell her that the Richmond healthcare system, and especially the HCA Hospital System, is definitely on her side — and they will do everything possible to ease the pain and stress of the situation while taking excellent care of her daughter.
When it comes to our children, it always helps to know that others know what you are going through when health issues occur. I’m glad that I am able to tell her that her daughter is in great hands at HCA!
