Truly a place for mom

Editor:

My mother might not have survived the past two years as well as she has without the compassionate care of a hospital close to her home.

My mom, Shirely Lynn, is a lifelong resident of El Dorado Springs. While you may not know her by name, chances are you know her by sight: She daily traversed five or more miles of El Dorado sidewalks garbed in black knee socks and shorts-no matter what the weather.

He last town trek occurred Oct. 20, 2018.

She was headed to Hwy. 54 to run errands when she tumbled down her back porch steps and broke her leg, an injury so severe it required orthopedic surgery in Springfield.

That was the beginning of a healthcare journey that has been frustrating, at times frightening, and definitely financially difficult. But we have been blessed every stop of the way by the services and support of Cedar County Memorial Hospital.

Her broken leg healed successfully and she was once again back on her feet, thanks to the diligent care of the hospital’s physical therapy department. But within a couple of days of being home, Mom suffered the first of multiple falls that ultimately brought on other health problems.

All told, she has spent 150 some days in our local hospital, as well as made three trips to the emergency room, where coctors there discovered she had issues that could only be treated at larger hospitals. Stays in Joplin, then Springfield were disheartening experiences for her because she didn’t know her doctor or the staff.

Moreover, the driving distance to these out-of-town hospitals deterred visitors form home. With each passing day, I watched her spirit and her will to fight for better health diminish.

It wasn’t until she returned to the familiar surroundings of our hometown hospital that she began to improve enough to go back to her own house, where she continue to work on building her strength.

Most of us are familiar with the adage that you never really appreciate what you have until you lose it, and at 86, my mother readily admits she probably took for granted the decades of good health she effortlessly enjoyed.

The same could be said for our local hospital—truthfully, Mon and I didn’t appreciate how critical it would be to our lives until we needed its services time and time again.

That’s why we are urging fwllow county residents to vote yes for a tax levy that will ensure Cedar County Memorial Hospital is as financially fit as possible by having sufficient funding to stay current with the technology, equipment and services necessary to meet the demands of surviving in today’s medical environment.

Thank you for you consideration,

Diana K. Lynn,

El Dorado Springs