Dameron Hospital | Health Outlook | Fall 2019

10 HEALTH OUTLOOK Dameron was fantastic,” she says. “From the moment I stepped into the facility for early-morning surgical preparation, my fears and concerns were addressed and set aside. The nursing staff in pre-op were humorous, kind and attentive. Once I was moved to the surgical floor, the doctors, nurses and staff working on my case would come by and introduce themselves. I had ‘celebrity status’ throughout my stay at Dameron because of my bilateral replacement. I kept hearing, ‘Oh! You’re the skydiving bilateral hip replacement—Dr. Sidhu told us about you.’ Dr. Sidhu came by before surgery and shared positive thoughts about the procedure, answered questions that I had and offered more details about what I was going to experience. I felt confident all would go well during surgery, and it did.” Great strides in physical therapy Two weeks after she was discharged, Garcia-Sheets began her physical therapy (PT) program. “I elected to continue using Dameron’s outpatient PT program,” she says. “Dr. Sidhu had briefed them so they knew I was a competitive skydiver and understood my goals to work hard, recover fully and mend quickly. At six weeks post-op, I was in the wind tunnel, testing my new hips! At 12 weeks, I flew in an 8-way wind tunnel training camp. At four months post-op, I took my first real jump from the plane. Now, at 20 months post-op, I am tougher and quicker at skydiving and every other physical activity I try.” Garcia-Sheets says Dr. Sidhu changed her life. “Actually, Dr. Sidhu and Dameron Hospital gave me back my life—and that is an incredible gift,” she says. “I have sparkle back in my eyes. I’m confident. I feel as though I am 20 years old—and I can keep up with them too! I’m back to training like an athlete, rather than an injured soul. Now, totally pain-free, life is a grand adventure—I don’t think there is anything I can’t do.” — Continued from page 9 A world-class facility Competitive skydiver Maria Garcia-Sheets experienced more of the same great care when she was transferred to the Orthopedic Unit. “I can’t say enough positive things about the nursing staff,” she says. “I was in the hospital for five days. During that time, the conscientious, attentive, kind, thoughtful, professional, caring, respectful and personal care given by the nursing staff made me feel that I was in great hands. When my days were going well, we all celebrated and cheered. When I broke down due to lasting nausea, the nurses gently helped me cope while finding a solution. As one can imagine, I was totally helpless after surgery, but Dameron’s physical therapists were amazing to work with. Thanks to their support, I was up and using a walker the morning after surgery and I continued to improve with their direction, support and encouragement. Being in an environment where I felt safe, cared for and supported gave me confidence to drive on with my goal—to heal as quickly as possible. I felt that I was being cared for in a world-class facility.”