To the editor:
At 76 years old, you don’t want to break a leg, then have a bunch of screws and plates put in that leg and while doing so, have a pacemaker put in your chest because your heart was stopping. This is exactly what happened to me about eight weeks ago.
As a veteran, I have never applied for assistance, but this time I did, at the Maine Veterans Home in Caribou.
To my delight, my rehab started off with very friendly and professional staff with a facility that, looked like Mr.Clean just came through it. My breaking my leg may have been a blessing in disguise, because it was here, at MVH, that they found my heart stopping several times a night while sleeping. An operation was ordered, the pacemaker was inserted, and I’ve felt great since.
Melissa Graham is top administrator at the Caribou facility and it’s run like a “Family Enterprise,“ where everyone knows their job, is very professional and caring 24 hours a day, every day. From the folks at PT to the nurses, CNAs, to the housekeeping staff and to Katina, who managed my every need — they all excel at what they do. Even after getting home, I’ve received several calls to make sure I was okay, and that they were there if I needed them. Before being discharged, the pharmacist, Neil, from Augusta, wanted to make sure that my medicines were compatible and correct. Wow!
I felt like I had 5-star service, so thank you, Maine Veterans Home’s staff, for being there for me, a service veteran!
John Hangen
Fort Fairfield
