Patients naturally can have an unsettled feeling when they find out they need medical care at the hospital. The anticipation can generate a number of questions as the patient tries to prepare for the unknown.
Northwest Community Hospital understands that the more a patient knows about their upcoming hospital experience and recovery process, the more comfortable and prepared the patient will be. While physician consultations and pre-surgery classes provide helpful information, NCH recognizes there can be more to the story.
That’s why NCH has launched the first of a series of patient blogs that will give insight into personal healthcare experiences. The first installment chronicles one patient’s journey through hip replacement surgery and rehabilitation.
Nancy Ackerson of Lake Zurich was admittedly anxious about her recent hip surgery, and agreed to publicly share a detailed account of her experience so others in her position could gain valuable insights.
“Nancy’s Journey” has been highlighted on the Northwest Community Hospital home page at nch.org since late October, with Nancy continuing to share blog updates with her followers today.
“It’s been a great experience, and one that I’m glad I began sharing from the beginning,” said Nancy, 68. “While I knew I needed hip surgery because the pain was unbearable, I was really scared about the whole process. Outside of having my kids, I had never had surgery.”
Nancy’s blog can be found at nch.org/nancysblog. The narrative not only contains her personal accounts, but also commentary from her primary care physician, nurses, occupational therapist and physical therapist. Nancy’s trip through hip replacement surgery isn’t yet complete as her rehabilitation continues, but she is pain free and building strength and endurance every day.
“I hope my experience will give other patients a good understanding of the process and what to expect at each turn along the way,” Nancy said. “Deciding to go ahead with the hip replacement procedure has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’m looking forward to being 100 percent again.”
For information about NCH’s advanced procedures that get patients quickly back to enjoying their daily lives, visit the hospital’s website at nch.org.