Core for ill baby

Is greatly appreciated

To the Editor:
   So often today, we read about the ways our health care system is failing, but we wanted to share our story about a health care system right here in Syracuse that held up under the microscope of our experience.
   On Feb. 12, our newborn baby stopped breathing. Thus began the most terrifying and exhausting days of our lives.
   From our call to 9-1 -1 to the follow-up care, everyone we encountered gave us faith in our health care system. It may be all in a day's work for those whose daily grind is saving lives, but their efforts made all the difference to us.

   We want to thank the speedy and skilled EMT ambulance staff at the Fayetteville Fire Department, who arrived in near-record time and provided reassuring care on a traumatic drive to the hospital; the attentive staff at Upstate Hospital's Pediatric ER, who immediately placed us in a patient room next to the nurse's station to keep a close eye on the fragile patient; resident physician at Grouse, Dr. Jonathan Henderson, who spoke to us sincerely in terms we could understand; Dr. David Smith, pediatrician and president of Upstate Hospital, who took the time to personally check on our daughter; the doctors at Eastside Pediatrics, especially Dr. Diane Dimond, who consulted with the ER staff and requested tests for what ultimately proved to be our baby's diagnosis; Dr. Denise Wolken, who always treats us with respect and empathy — even when we aren't being rational; the staff at Eastside Pediatrics, who made countless calls trying to find us an apnea monitor on a holiday weekend; and our family, whose loving support we can always count on, but who really came through when we needed them.
   A very special thank-you to the compassionate and professional nursing staff in Grouse's pediatric unit at 5 Memorial. Through those long and heartwrenching nights, they rocked our baby when we were too weary. They were everything you hope a nurse will be. We would especially like to thank Kelly Anne, Diane, Beth, Kathy and Jean —just a few of the guardian angels who watched over our baby girl.
   I am proud to report that our wee Sadie Ann is healthy, happy and turned 3 months old last week. We will never forget how lucky we are to have her in our lives or the wonderful people that cared for our little miracle.

Kerin and Cort Ruddy
Fayetteville

Post-Standard, The - May 29, 2008, Syracuse, New York