UCLA hospital experience

[Guest guest]

My daughter had her decompression done at UCLA on March 26, 1999, by Dr.

Lazareff. If we ever have to have one of the other children done, or myself,

I would go back in a heartbeat.

Please realize that my experience is as a parent, with a peds patient. But,

I would say that they were thoughtful of the needs of the whole family. They

did provide my husband and I with a room (shared by many others) to sleep

overnight. We were allowed to stay with our daughter 24/7 (except during

shift change in ICU - 20 min.) and they even had a " kid's room " that was so

cool, for the peds patients. One side looked like the bridge of the Starship

Enterprise and was filled with video games and computers, the other side was

set up for arts and crafts. And, the cafeteria is wonderful, they even had a

Starbucks (that's California for ya

The four days that she was there was NOT without incident. But I have been

through enough medical crises in my life to realize that there is a nurse

Kratchet in every hospital, and it becomes part of my expectations. Let me

say, though, I feel it's vital that a friend or family member oversee the

care for any patient in the hospital.

And for you, Connie, I would love to come visit you in the hospital in May.

I was there for Heidi and , and if you want, I will be there for you

too. Besides, I really like my hugs from Dr. Lazareff

Beth

Bakersfield, CA

daughter Alyssa, ACM 1

decompressed 3/26/99 with no remaining symptoms