I was hospitalized for six days last July 2016 at our Albert Lea hospital. After arriving at the emergency room at 3 a.m., it was quickly determined that I was suffering from an intestinal blockage and needed immediate hospitalization. I am trying to imagine how different it would have been, had I needed to be transported via ambulance services, to Austin, rather than simply being taken to a room within our local facility. As sick as I was feeling, I can only imagine that this would have made a scary situation even more so.

During my stay here, I received excellent care from all of the staff, and especially the nurses. I think people take for granted that while they can sleep in their own beds at night, they give little thought to the lives of those who take care of us when we are ill. These caregivers are there for us at all hours. Whether it was 6 a.m., or 11 p.m., they were all not only very kind and cheerful, but also very skilled and professional in manner. It didn’t matter what time of day it was, during shift changes the nurses and CNAs would come into my room and introduce themselves, letting me know they would be taking over until such and such time. It didn’t matter what time of day it was, I knew I was in good hands. While being hospitalized, these nurses cheered my successes toward healing, and when I had a setback, they were truly concerned, but showed me encouragement and optimism.

I was born in Naeve Hospital. I have been hospitalized two times — once requiring surgery — under this name, and now a third hospitalization under the Mayo name. The hospital has always been here, and it sickens me to imagine what it will be like when we no longer have inpatient hospitalization. Mayo needs to do the right thing, and either provide us with a full-service hospital or fold their services here all-together and allow another entity to come into Albert Lea. This is crucial for our ­— and the surrounding communities — vitality and livelihood. A beautiful city the size of ours needs a full-service inpatient hospital, as it serves the whole community, not just Albert Lea.

I share the same feelings as many others do and have never felt so betrayed as the day Mayo made its announcement about pulling out overnight hospitalizations and surgeries. For Mayo Clinic Vice President Bobbie Gostout to make the comment about traveling 23 miles for ice cream, in comparison to receiving inpatient services, I would think she should have been given her walking papers and fired from that job. Of course she wasn’t since she was apparently echoing the sentiments of what Mayo Clinic has become. Shame on them. Understand this Ms. Gostout, I have never traveled 23 miles for ice cream — not once.

Laura Feeley

Glenville