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Caitlin liked and respected her first ob-gyn. But
reflecting back on the situation, she realizes, “I was “It’s such a blessing we had the connection to
in a vulnerable situation. When it’s your body and Healthnetwork and that were able to get into see
something is happening, you look to anyone who’s a
doctor and you latch on to that—Okay, you’re a doctor, this amazing doctor as quick as we were.”
you can help me. And you trust them. But she’s a
younger doctor and didn’t seem extremely confident,
which made me feel insecure.”
As it turns out, Caitlin’s situation needed a specialist.
“By the time I got to surgery, Dr. Ratner was concerned
because the cyst had grown in a matter of days and
there was some internal bleeding,” she recalls.
“I underestimated what it means to get as second
opinion—and not just a second opinion, but an opinion
from someone who has done it a hundred times.”
At the time, adrenaline kicked in and Caitlin didn’t
think about the pregnancy she lost. “Later I was able to
mourn it,” she says. It was horrible, but I’m a nurse, and
I understand things happen.” Furthermore, there’s a
silver lining: “If the pregnancy had not happened to
alert us, Dr. Ratner told us she has no doubt it would
have turned into a malignant tumor. I’m so thankful we
were able to find it when we did.”

What Could Have Happened…

Caitlin has replayed the scenario, imagining what
could have happened. “If I had gone ahead with the
scheduled surgery with my ob-gyn, who wasn’t
experienced with this kind of thing, the cyst could “Rick and I have been members of L3 for
have burst.” ten years now and I am so grateful that
Another scenario: “If I had cancelled the surgery and Healthnetwork is one of our benefits!
gone on my own path, I probably would have had to You never think you’re going to be the
wait a long time to get in with a specialist. What if I one who gets sick, or someone in your
had internal bleeding?”
Thankfully, Caitlin and her family will never have to family. Thank goodness Nick and Caitlin
experience what could have happened. Instead, they called and that I happened to think
are grateful for what did happen: The surgery went of Healthnetwork. It was such an
smoothly; the cyst did not burst; and Dr. Ratner said unbelievable, quick, and efficient
she doesn’t think Caitlin will have any issues getting godsend. I just sent a donation to
pregnant in the future. Healthnetwork as a payback, and
“It’s such a blessing we had the connection to I’m going to tell everyone I know
Healthnetwork and that we were able to get into see
this amazing doctor as quick as we were. Dr. Ratner and at L3 about it.”
her team and Healthnetwork coming together for just
me…it was a seamless, incredible experience,” says — LORI FERNANDES
Caitlin. “In my line of work I see healthcare mishaps L3 LEADERSHIP BOARD MEMBER
and delayed care all the time. I see people who weren’t DONOR TO HEALTHNETWORK FOUNDATION
able to get into see a doctor and that’s why they end up
in the ED. That could have easily been me.” ✦

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