Shawnee Mission Medical Center

I'm home.

I haven't spent much time in hospitals. In fact, last night was the first time I've spent a night in a hospital since I had my babies... unless you count the time I stayed with Cliff when he had heart surgery.

But I'll tell you this: I was totally impressed by all the staff at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. From the time I checked in until they wheeled me out the door in a wheelchair, I had first-class treatment.

Now I'll admit I'm a low-maintanence patient; I had my Ipod and Cliff's laptop to keep me occupied. I had one dose of morphine right after I woke up after surgery, but from then on, I needed no pain-killers of any kind (the nurses seemed surprised by that). Still, there was somebody checking in constantly to see if I needed anything. At 3 A.M. this morning a nurse asked if I wanted anything to drink, and I jokingly said, "Some coffee would be good."

He went and made a pot of coffee just for me.

Another nurse who's worked there for six years told me what a great place it is to work. He, his wife, and his sister work there; as I understand it, the hospital is putting his sister through nursing school. Day care is provided right next door for the employees' children, so he and his wife take turns having lunch with their little girl; since his wife is a supervisor, she gets to pop in and see her often throughout the day.

No wonder the staff treats the patients so great: They're happy people!