Mother's Day weekend of 2017 I went to Saint Francis Hospital to have a thyroidectomy; everything went well until after the surgery, when I began to have respiratory issues. I was unable to be extubated. I was placed in the ICU for a few days but was unable to maintain normal oxygen levels. The medical team determined that I needed a tracheostomy. Due to the need for a tracheostomy, I needed extended care at a rehab facility. I was feeling scared and anxious because I would prefer to be in the comfort of my home. I was lucky enough to have a daughter-in-law who has been a nurse for 12 years who was willing to take me home and care for me while she cared for her family and had a full-time job. The care I got from her was unremarkable. I was able to fully recover without infection by July of that year.

Roselyn M.