PATIENT STORIES

NOT FROSTBITE

On Tuesday night a gentleman came in. He was having a problem with one of his toes which he thought was from frostbite. He found out that night he has diabetes and his toe is gangrenous.  He needs $45 to get a surgical consult and we are working with him to get him the money as he has none. (I will ask my Sunday school class on Sunday and feel confident they will pitch in together for it if the other options don’t pan out). Without treatment (most likely amputation) for his toe he can become septic and die. He was given tools to monitor his diabetes, medication and education while at the clinic. -- volunteer

2 PIZZAS

In Luke 17:11, Jesus heals 10 lepers. Nine continue on their way. But one, a Samaritan and foreigner, returned to give thanks. At the Center, we don’t do our work to get thanks, though we are rewarded by the gratitude of patients at a much higher ration than 1 in 10. However, a few months back, one of our patients topped the Luke 17 territory. He not only came back, he brought 2 pizzas for our staff and volunteers to enjoy. He had been having dizzy spells, but when he finally came to our clinic, he was diagnosed with hypertension at a level that would almost certainly have led to a life-threatening stroke if left untreated. He was grateful, and the pizza was mighty tasty.

DIABETES SCREENING SUCCESS

Just recently, a mother with young children came to our clinic who had been blacking out. She reluctantly agreed to be part of our Diabetes Screening Project. She had to be tested twice, because the first result did not even register. The reason it didn’t is that her hemoglobin only registered four, compared to 12-16 grams per deciliter is the normal range for women. (13-18 for men.) Her count was so low that we had to send her immediately to the emergency room in Goshen. Without this test, and with a hemoglobin count this low, she was a certain candidate for permanent brain damage or death within months. Or, had she blacked out while driving (something she said almost experienced several times), the impact would have been more immediate for her, her family, and perhaps for another driver. With this project, she is on the road to recovery, and her children can count on their mother to be around and able to raise them.

(Hemoglobin transports oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, which sustains life. Without it, or without adequate levels, you are at danger for brain damage – or death.)

MORE STORIES

Jon and Kathy had just moved here from out of state, leaving an abusive situation with a former landlord, and were feeling particularly frustrated. Not only were they having a tough time finding a place to rent, both were out of a job, but Jon also had significant healthcare needs. But…no job = no insurance. They were able to stay with a family member in the area, but only temporarily and that time was quickly coming to a close. What could they do? They had nothing and knew no one. Luckily, they heard about our clinic and came for a visit. Though not all referrals run this smoothly, what happened next was an ideal one. Our volunteer Doctors saw Jon and took care of his immediate needs. They recognized that he needed much more extensive assistance than we could offer and that his condition, serious lung issues, should be monitored by a primary care physician. After going over their options, we decided that the best placement would be Maple City Health Care Center, as they had found a house within Maple City’s catchment area. With a referral from the Center, they were able to get an appointment with the Doctor that has become their primary healthcare provider…not only Jon, but the whole family! They are happy with their new medical home and we are satisfied that we were a part of finding this family a place where their needs can best be met!

(insurance not always enough) Last year we met a young woman whose diabetes was out of control. She was also suffering from depression. Eileen knew that she would be better served if we could place her with a family physician. We sent paper work to Dr. Howes office and requested an appointment. We received a call back and were told they could not see her because she had a family Dr. and also Insurance. We talked to her and found out she was working for one of our local hospitals and it was true she was insured, however, she had a pre-existing condition and a balance at her Doctor's office. Eileen contacted the hospital and the hospital agreed to pay for her visits and labs until she was eligible for insurance, we also spoke to Dr. Howe's office to explain her situation and she agreed to accept her as a patient. The patient's diabetes is now under control and she is very happy to have a family physician. This is an illustration of how having insurance is not always enough and how advocacy on behalf of our patients is needed.

A male patient came into the clinic one evening because he had been experiencing discomfort in the right side of his stomach. The doctor was able to see him and decided that it was best to refer this patient to get a CT scan of his stomach. Because the patient did not have health insurance the clinic nurse searched for the most affordable place to have the exam done at. The patient had the CT scan done the following week and the results indicated that he had an enlarged liver. More tests were done to see if his enlarged liver was affecting the rest of his body in a negative way. The tests came back clear. After talking to the patient the following week it was apparent that he was still worried about what was going on and wanted to be referred to a specialist. We found a specialist that was able to take him and give him a discounted fee if he paid the same day as his visit. The patient later called in to our clinic to let us know that they visit went well and that they specialist didn't think that anything needed to be done, but that they patient needed to just be aware of what was going on. During the phone call with the patient he wanted to let us know how much he appreciated our help in finding him further health care and wanted to know how much he owe us for our services. We explained to him that we are here to help, that we were glad he was able to get further care, and that he did not owe us anything.

Aaron came into the Center for Healing and Hope after recently moving into the area. Among other things, Aaron suffers from bipolar disorder and needs to have a primary doctor in order to receive his medication. Aaron and his mother conveyed their frustrations to me about their inability to find a doctor that would take Aaron as a patient because of his lack of health insurance. It is also importance, however, that he was able to stay on his meds. After talking to both him and his mother it was decided that we were going to refer him to Lincoln Avenue Health Center where he could be seen on a sliding scale fee. The first appointment was set up with Lincoln Ave. and I was able to meet them there to make sure things went smoothly. The appointment was a success. Aaron was able to talk to the doctor about the medications that he needs and he was able to be put on a discount plan for the doctors visits based on his income. After the appointment both Aaron and his mother expressed their gratitude for the Center for Healing and Hope and how important it is that we keep on doing what we are doing. “Sometimes people just need a little help, and that's what you guys are there for. Help people get the  care they need.”

Angela came in with her mother to the Center for Healing and Hope. She hadn't been feeling well recently and had reason to suspect that she might be pregnant. We were able to give her a pregnancy test which came back positive. Angela was in shock and had no idea what to do. She was able to talk to our Patient Advocate who knew of the area resources that were available. Angela was referred to the Women's Care Center where she could talk with a trained counselor and get the prenatal care that she needed. Without us, Angela would not have known what resources were available to her and where she could go for further help.

Mirna Bermudez is one of Elkhart’s most faithful translators. She comes several times a month and has filled in last minute on numerous occasions. Mirna has become friends with all of the volunteer staff members, and most would know that she has been working hard to lose weight so that she might have a better chance at getting pregnant. When she came to translate one evening, she complained of dizziness and tiredness. She was not feeling well at all. She had a cold for a few weeks and thought that she was feeling the way she was due to that. Eileen Martin, the head nurse, was concerned and recommended that the doctor see her that night. She conceded and the doctor discovered that Mirna had very high blood sugar. Labs were sent out to confirm the high count and Mirna was in tears. She pleaded with the doctor, “I’ll do anything I have to in order to not have to take medication. I’ll lose more weight. I’ll exercise. Whatever I have to do.” In Mirna’s case, diet and exercise would not be enough. Her sugar was in the 400s. Mirna now controls her sugar through diet and medications and has completed a diabetic education class offered through Elkhart General Hospital. She is optimistic, in spite of the disease, that she might now get pregnant. CHH is in the process of finding a family doctor for her.

It is always amazing to see the struggles and stories that each patient seems to possess when they walk through our clinic doors. Every story is different and every patient unique. Jose came into the clinic a couple of weeks ago after recently arriving in Goshen the week before. He had suffered from kidney failure almost 6 years ago and had, up until the week before, been receiving dialysis three times a week. Because of his recent move to Goshen he found himself without dialysis and without any doctor. His wife and children worried what this could mean for Jose. They knew that he needed dialysis but since they had no health insurance they didn’t know where to go for help. Jose was seen that evening by our doctor and was referred to a specialist to receive his dialysis, stating that without receiving dialysis soon he would find himself in very poor health quickly. Since Jose and his family had no health insurance finding a way to receive access to the specialist and receive dialysis seemed challenging. With many phone calls and conversations with specialists in the area it was decided that Jose needed to go to St. Joseph Hospital in South Bend to receive the care that he needed. Not knowing what would await them in South Bend and with their limited English, I was able to accompany them to South Bend to help them get the care they needed. That same day at St. Joseph Hospital we were able to get him not only the dialysis that he so badly needed, but he was also able to work with the hospital staff to help him access the health programs and financial assistance he needed to continue getting care. Along with helping Jose and his family with the immediate needs of dialysis we were also about to refer them to Maple City Health Care where they would receive a family doctor as well. Jose is now receiving his dialysis in Elkhart and working with their primary doctor to better monitor his care. Jose and his family were extremely grateful to the staff and volunteers at the Center for Healing and Hope for helping them get the care that they needed. Thank you to all of our volunteers for the time dedicated to help serve the struggling families in our community.

Joanna has come to The Center for Healing and Hope several times over the past couple of months. She is a truck driver, and traveling and moving is a major expectation for the business. Because of her irregular schedule, she has been unable to keep a family doctor.  Lacking in money and resources, Joanna’s frustration with the health system has increased.

In working with Joanna, I have taken time to listen and understand how she has gotten to her level of frustration. She feels that people who have health insurance do not understand the obstacles that those without insurance encounter. She has suffered many hardships, and is in need of continued medical attention, but she cannot find it. It is through the Center for Healing and Hope that people like Joanna get access to the healthcare they need. We continue to work together to find the best care possible despite her lack of resources. For Joanna, we at the Center for Healing and Hope are able to make a difference.

Steven called into the clinic wondering if he would be able to see a doctor anytime soon. He was from out of town and just traveling through Goshen. He had been visiting the Elkhart Country Fair and happened to stop by a medical booth there. They had checked his blood pressure and found that it was extremely high. A friend gave him the number of the Center for Healing and Hope and he was able to come in that evening to be seen. Steven had no insurance and was grateful that he was able to be seen at our clinic that night. The doctor saw him and treated him for high blood pressure and instructed him to find a family doctor upon his return home. Steven was so appreciative of our services that night and was amazed at all our clinic was doing to help persons like him. Without our clinic Steven would have had no place to go. We made a difference.

A patient had come into the clinic with neurological symptoms that she felt (and the doctor agreed) were the result of the gluing job she had at a local  factory.  I did some fairly major work to get this reported (talk about hoops), but she was right!  Apparently OSHA found that the workers were overexposed and at risk.  Yeah!  So many people (especially undocumented) have no legal recourse when their work environment is unhealthy.  I am thrilled that we could help make sure that one factory is safer for its employees.

Here is the report we got from the Compliance Safety & Health Officer that investigated: I have sampled the glue used at Century Foam for 1-bromopropane.  The glue employees were over exposed, and we will be issuing safety orders that will require them to look at the problem and either replace the glue or install ventilation and possibly use respirators to reduce employee exposure below 10 parts per million.  Employee exposures were at 29 and 40 parts per million. 

ACTUAL EMAIL EXCHANGE

Laura: I am very ill right now and looking for some relief. I don't have medical insurance so having a hard time getting in to a doctor. I saw something about your place on a website and would like to come in however it did not say where it was located. Can you please let me know the address? Any help would be appreciated. 

Patient Advocate: Hi Laura, I am the Patient Advocate. We are an urgent care clinic for those without insurance, and ask for a $20 to see the doctor. We don't make appointments and function as a first come first serve so it is best to arrive a little early. (clinic locations & times) Please let me know if you have any more questions!

Laura: I visited your center today and received excellent care. Thank you for all that you do.