I had already been in psychiatric units three times since October, so I wondered what the unit at Grand View could offer me. What I found was a traditional psychiatric unit, but with people who cared. The nurse that performed my admission assessment spent a great deal of time with me, and really helped me focus on the strengths that, yes, I still had. I borrowed an unused guitar and set a goal of being able to play and sing Silent Night by Christmas Eve.
Everyone on the staff were competent and caring. The nurses would actually do private 1 on 1s, and spend extra time with me in “normal” conversations when they had the time. At times it was not just one way “sharing”, which made me feel more human. The activities and groups (all of which I attended) were enjoyable and provided helpful information for recovery, that I now began to understand. We were occasionally given the opportunity to take walks on the ground, again making me feel more “human”. I started to be less withdrawn, and redevelop my strongest coping skill, humor.
By far, the most important person in my care was my Penn Foundation psychiatrist, Dr. Anne Newton. She visited me every day that she was working, and spent much more than the 2-3 minute visits with the doctors in my previous hospitalizations. Her dedication and skill was demonstrated in the determined way she tried different medication and treatment regimes. She was “tough”, but also warm and caring, and with a good sense of humor. It took a while (5 weeks), but she found the medicinal “key” that worked for me. I continued to see Dr. Newton, and a wonderful counselor, Cindy Blumenthal, at the Penn Foundation Recovery Center for quite a while before I was “encouraged” to find care closer to Abington, PA, where I live.
Since that time, many things have happened, both good and bad. I have survived surgery and treatment for stage 3b Breast Cancer, returning to work full-time. As I was homeless when I was discharged from Grand View, I went to live with a wonderful woman who attends my church. I have since moved on from living with her to living in a cute duplex, with my son Jeremy (after taking back custody of him)and two cats. My friendships have all been renewed, and I am lucky to say that new ones continue to develop. I have a “comfortable” relationship with my older son and daughter. I have a demanding full-time job, with a very good salary, and genuinely like the people I work with. I am taking an on-line course to obtain certification in my field (Registered Nurse Assessment Coordinator), and in the fall hope to start a Masters in Health Administration program offered through my employer.
Why did I write this? Because I wanted to express my appreciation for the care I have received through the Penn Foundation. I also hope that other people who feel hopeless enough to consider an extreme act such as suicide, can see that there really is a way to “return” to what could be, an even better life. You, too, can recover and embrace Life!
- Sally
A client-written essay describing her experience at Grandview Hospital (our local community hospital with whom we work very closely), and her experience with the Penn Foundation Recovery Center Outpatient Department.
