By Donna Taylor
Hello people. It’s been a while since D. Taylor has come to you from the “Dark Side.” Some wondered had I died or left the area. No, I’m still here, I just don’t get out much anymore. A personal choice. I’m writing this week to commend and spotlight some people I’ve encountered over the last two months at Tri Lakes Medical Center Physical Therapy Dept. I was sent there by my orthopaedist for some pain I had been experiencing in my back that trickled all the way down to my toes.

  My first visit in December was on a Monday and my next sceduled session was Wednesday, December 3. On that same date, my oldest brother, Larry Taylor Sr., had passed away at the age of 65. I didn’t sleep at all that night but decided to go on to my therapy session anyway.
When I told the office manager Stephanie Hopper what had taken place in the wee hours of the morning, she gasped and became instantly concerned. She told me if I hadn’t shown up they would have fully understood. Then my assigned therapists, Catherine Wilson and Sophie Hays, couldn’t believe that I was there after learning of the death of my dear brother. I was running on something that I can’t explain, disbelief maybe. Catherine and Sophie were very sympathetic and caring. Remember, I just met these folks just a couple of days before.

Their presence and bubbly personas put me at ease. I felt like I was with Allstate, in good hands. I missed a few days after that. The funeral and burial of my brother drained me and my entire family. We loved him so much. Larry had become the patriarch of the Taylor family since our father’s death in November 2007.

  My experience at Tri Lakes went a little further. I had left therapy with a throbbing headache, and had gone to the Emergency Room in the hospital. My blood pressure was climbing, my head throbbed, the light hurt my eyes and my brother had died just a few hours earlier and I hadn’t slept in 24 hours, so I felt pretty bad. The ER attending physician was so empathetic and as he examined me, he was asking me questions such as how long had the headache been that bad and I told him all night. When he found out I had just lost my brother, he said he was sorry and comforted me. That felt good, the kindness of a stranger. I heard the sincerity in his voice. Thanks, Doc!

I have since been diagnosed with severe migraines.And someone who works in the ER and is a fellow migraine sufferer called me a few days after one of my visits to see how I was feeling and telling me to take care of myself. I felt “special” after that call.

   I wrote this to tell others of the excellent care I received and my observances of the way Sophie, Catherine, Kathy Shelton occupational therapist, Anna Way, director of rehab and speech-langauage pathologist, Stephanie Guckert, cardiac rehab therapist and Stephanie Hopper interact with others. They treat everybody with respect and are so good at what they do. My back is much better but I know the pain will be there forever and I’m learning to manage it.
  My therapy is complete now and I will always remember these ladies. They work with infants to the elderly. I’ve observed their dedication and hope that some of you will call on them to help you heal your bodies. They were my “Dream Team.”

 Peace Y’all!!!

(Donna Taylor of Como was a longtime columnist [“The Dark Side”]  for the Southern Reporter newspaper, and now contributes occasional commentaries to The Panolian.)