Roy Anderson — who had just returned from a work trip in New Orleans — was admitted to the hospital after having difficulty breathing.
He was suffering from a severe case of COVID-19 and was put on a ventilator for weeks. Hospital Heroes pulled him through to recovery.
After weeks of being unable to speak while being intubated, Roy’s nurse — Noralea Page — remembers his first words well.
“I was feeding him and asked him if he was done and he said to me, ‘There is always more room for Blue Bell ice cream.’” I cracked up laughing and said, ‘Yes there is!’” Page said. “That is one of the first sentences he was able to form and I will always remember that. It was then that I realized he is going to be OK.”
The nurses that cared for Roy say that seeing victories like this are the best part of the job.
“Two to three weeks later, through excellent care, I’m alive and well,” says Roy after leaving the ICU.
Even as many hospitals are strained under the weight of budget cuts and the ongoing pandemic, our Hospital Heroes have never stopped going above and beyond for their patients. We not only celebrate Roy’s triumphant recovery from the ICU, but the dedicated team that made it possible.
At the Coalition to Protect America’s Health Care, nothing inspires us more than hearing about the difference that caring healthcare workers make in the lives of patients just like Roy. Will you share your story with us?