To the Editor: 

April 12, I came home after a six-day stay at Kent Hospital and feel compelled to write this letter about the dozens of wonderful people who crossed my path during my stay.

From the moment I entered through the emergency room to walking out of my room on 4 West, everybody I encountered displayed nothing but the best of human kindness and compassion.

There was a nurse who changed the sheets on my bed because the housekeeping staff was occupied elsewhere. There was the orderly who brought me to and from the operating room who said hello in the hallway two days later, remembering my name. There was the nursing student from my alma mater who talked to me about the school. There were many people who asked me about my life and told me about theirs. There were countless smiles from people who brought me my meals, cleaned my room, filled my water jar or just checked in to see if I needed anything. People took an interest in me not as a sickness but as a person and although the barcode on my wristband had to be scanned numerous times, I always felt I was being treated as a person and not once as a number.

From the intake nurse at the ER to the surgeon who oversaw y care to the unknown staff member who held the elevator so I could get on it when leaving, everybody did what they could to help make the best out of a difficult situation. There is no way I can thank each one individually (as well as countless others who’s work impacted me behind the scenes), but I did want to share this in the hope that they would know they are appreciated. Thank you.

David Lobato 

Warwick