Last year, the powers that be at Mayo decided to remove services from the Albert Lea hospital, leaving many folks angry. This anger was due, in part, to the fact many of our ancestors donated toward the building of the medical facilities in Albert Lea to have them sold off to Mayo. Today, that fight goes on.

I am not here to speak of that battle. I am here to speak of another — the battles, many of them, happening every day at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea inside the hospital rooms.

I was recently hospitalized in that very facility. During that time, I met many very professional folks who provide the care for the patients inside.

They report to work for their shift, including during the recent snowstorm, not knowing what any particular day will bring.

They may see one of their patients discharged, transferred or breathe their last breath. Through it all, they remain professional.

During my short stay, I met many and may not know the names of those who may have been my caregivers early on.

This is for those in med/surg (the second floor in particular) who cared for me during my time there: Lexie, Vanessa, Kathy, Song, Star, Amanda, Rose, Sandy and Brooke. I am sure there were others, but did not get the opportunity to take all the names.

These ladies take care of their patients with a professionalism not seen in many aspects of the working world, performing thankless tasks to thankless people who cannot understand that these ladies have more than just them to look after.

If your medical team is not at your bedside, remember, they are taking care of someone else whose immediate needs are much more urgent than your own. Give them a break, not a hard time.

They are conscientiously taking care of everyone. Your time will come, just be patient and don’t add to their workload unnecessarily.

Ladies, my sincerest thank you for your time and energy spent in your care of me during my stay. I tried not to demand your time needlessly, to allow you time to care for others the way you were caring for me.

Ladies, hand salute!

Barbara Babb

Hollandale