Thankful for those who helped dialysis patients

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To the Editor:

Can you imagine how utterly disorienting and anxious you might feel if a life-saving treatment you relied upon was suddenly not available? This very situation came to pass for the dialysis patients of Martha’s Vineyard Hospital when our unit suffered flooding so severe we had no choice but to close for repairs on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018.

Now that we are up and running again, MVH dialysis staff would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincerest thanks to the community of people who have helped us make the transition to our new, temporary unit in the MVH Emergency Department possible. To M.V. Hospital administration — your prompt and unflinching support of our patients and our unit meant that we hit the ground running on Day 1. Due to your diligence and attention, our patients had the opportunity to attend every one of their treatments, at no additional cost to them — a real blessing. To Angie and Vicky at the Vineyard Transit Authority, who worked with us to secure safe, reliable transportation to and from the nearest off-Island clinic, we thank you. To our LIFT medical van drivers, John, Dave, Dave, and Trey — we “just” made many a ferry with you guys at the wheel. We thank you for your company and your even keels, even as the ferry rolled. To the Steamship Authority, who always found room for our medical van, no matter the day/time — even holding the last boat to leave Woods Hole on a windy night when we were 20 minutes away. By that account, we should probably thank all of that boat’s passengers too. To you, hopefully a minor inconvenience; to us, an absolute lifesaver.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Fresenius Medical Care Falmouth, which worked overtime and tirelessly to make sure our patients had a place to receive treatment. We really can’t say enough about them and the courtesy they showed our patients. In addition, we would also like to thank the MVH Emergency Department for graciously hosting us temporarily while our unit undergoes needed repairs. We have felt nothing short of welcome. Lastly, but most importantly, we would like to thank our patients, whose lives and livelihoods were most impacted by our sudden closure; whose 12-hour-a-week commitment to treatment suddenly became 24 hours a week. You accepted this challenge with grace and incredible humility, offering yet another incredible example of the power of positivity that we already see in each of you.

Christine Conley, R.N.
on behalf of MVH dialysis staff