For a spine surgery patient, past is prologue

Brenda Evans, Davidsonville, spine surgery

“My family has always gone to Anne Arundel Medical Center. I was born there. But I haven’t been in the hospital for at least 30 years, and when you’re older you have so much anxiety. But my surgery was such a positive experience. I never thought I’d be sending a thank-you note to a hospital for performing lumbar fusion surgery!”

New knees for an honored veteran

Al Rascon, Laurel, double knee replacement

Major Al Rascon, U.S. Army, understands pain. As a medic in Vietnam in 1966, he was severely wounded and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in shielding his wounded comrades with his own body. Almost 40 years later he returned to active duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. “My knees showed their age when I was hopping in and out of helicopters and Humvees. I came home last summer and was allowed to use a private physician because of the shortage of medical staff at the military hospital. My physician, Dr. John Peters recommended Dr. Marshall Steele at Anne Arundel Medical Center. I had one knee replaced last July and the other in November. It’s refreshing to be in a good hospital, knowing the staff is competent—the doctors, nurses and the techs. It makes a real impact on your recovery. My pain is gone and I can walk. I have legs again!”

Following surgery, care from the “good hands” people

Vicky Grim, Severna Park, women’s surgical services

“I’ve only been in the hospital a few times, so I was apprehensive about the surgery. But if you can call surgery a good experience, that’s what this was. One of the nurses, Dee Rowell, was someone whose family I had known years ago. She was so sweet and comforting, as were the other nurses, Shannon Smith and Jessie Smith. And the facility is awesome. I knew they were busy, but I felt like I was the only one there, it was so restful.”

Technology with a personal touch

Toni Magnan, Odenton, cancer treatment

“I went for my annual mammogram and got a call to come back a day later. A second mammogram and sonogram led to a needle biopsy that confirmed the mass was malignant. But I was lucky. It was so small that my surgeon, Dr. Jerrilyn Jutton couldn’t even feel it. A lumpectomy was scheduled. I was dying inside but everyone in the operating room was very professional and understanding. After surgery, I started 33 rounds of radiation treatment, five days a week. The first day was awful, seeing that big machine. But Dr. Torano, Diane Breedon and Laura Payne knew how I felt and comforted me. It’s like they are handpicked to be there.”

How screening saved a life

Elaine Gairy, Chester, vascular surgery

“I wanted my husband to have the free vascular screening performed through the Dare to Care program. My husband was fine. But I had over 80 percent blockage in an artery in my neck. Within a couple of weeks, I had surgery and am fully recovered. AAMC, the Dare to Care program, and Dr. John Martin literally saved my life.”

When life threw her a curve, AAMC was there

Raj Williams, Annapolis, emergency services, neurosurgery

“When I wound up at the AAMC Emergency Department last year with horrible headaches, the physician there said he had good news and bad news. The bad news was that I had a brain tumor. The good news was that I was pregnant. AAMC took great care of me. I’m fine and so is my baby. It’s comforting to know I don’t have to go far for help. AAMC has everything for the entire family.”

Amenities make the difference

Pamela Cooksey, Prince Frederick, neurosurgery

“Last December Dr. Thomas Ducker removed a cyst from the right side of my brain that was causing some numbness and balance problems. My local doctor, Dr. Atul Shah, recommended Dr. Ducker. I knew him from about 10 years ago, and knew he was the best. There’s lots of innovation at the hospital. From the moment they wheeled in the laptop computer to register me, I knew I was in good hands. And I loved the private rooms! It all really made a difference.”