Page 6 - FollowUP_Magazine_Issue_2

Our Small Town
Ronnie VanHouten was born in Thomaston in 1947. There was no hospital in town at the time, just a small clinic.“I think the worst sickness I ever had as a child was chicken pox or the measles,” Ronnie said.
Ronnie was a CPA at Thomaston Mills until they closed. He and his precious wife, Glenda, have been together for 56 years, and have two children and five beloved grandchildren.“I have been the one sick over the years and he was the one always taking care of me,” Glenda said.
“In December of 2019, I was not on any medication. In January 2020, heart issues started coming up. I went to my cardiologist and found I had congestive heart failure, an enlarged heart, and a mitral valve leak,” said Ronnie.“Two days after my cardiology appointment, I started hurting in my stomach and it was hard to eat. If I say I need to go to the hospital,
I know something is wrong,” Ronnie added.
On January 31, 2020, Ronnie was taken to the Upson Regional Medical Center Emergency Room. He then was sent to have small bowel obstruction surgery--having three operations, and in the hospital for 29 days. “I was on a ventilator for five of those days,” Ronnie said.
Ronnie has always been in good health and active, so his being in the hospital was a shock for the whole family. Glenda mentioned feeling as if they were on a merry-go-round.
However, Ronnie says the nurses and providers at Upson Regional Medical Center could not have been any better. He recalls his surgeon Dr. Darryl Knight, primary care physician Dr. Wayne Dodgen, nurse practitioner Diana Kreismanis, and Upson Regional Medical Center ICU nurses checking on him constantly, giving him a huge sense of comfort. Ronnie was also covered in prayer by family, friends, and many Upson Regional Medical Center prayer warriors—including housekeeper Clauneise Reeves.
Ronnie was discharged on February 28, 2020.“The most amazing thing was I was never in pain. I truly was provided with the best care I could possibly receive,” Ronnie said.“Many patients of my age and in my condition don’t recover from three small bowel obstruction surgeries. They truly saved my life,” he added.
At a check-up following the surgery, Ronnie’s cardiologist mentioned to Ronnie that he couldn’t believe it, but his heart was looking great.“I am so blessed, and getting stronger every single day,” said Ronnie.“I wouldn’t be here without this hospital. I can’t thank the ones who were involved in my care enough,” he added.
4