During the first weekend of May in 1999 I had severe
abdominal pain and chalked it up to food poisoning.
I fought through it best I could – I moved into my
home and played some softball that weekend, saying I wouldn’t let pain and bad
food ruin my weekend.
Over the course of those two days it got worse and
worse, and, without my knowing, my appendix exploded. Only after the poisons
made their way through my body did I go to the ER. By then, it had caused potentially-fatal
peritonitis. I needed emergency surgery and spent a week in hospital followed
by weeks of recovery.
Now, every morning when I look in the mirror and see
the large scar that travels vertically across my stomach I count my blessings.
I was likely hours away from kicking the bucket but I was fortunate that
Lockport Memorial Hospital and its people were there for me – Dr. Hodge was
able to work his magic on my innards and the wonderful doctors, nurses and
assistants made sure my stay was helpful and comfortable.
I’m forever indebted to those good people and the Hospital
for saving my life.
Last week’s reflection on the twenty year anniversary
of my second chance at life was countered by sadness for Eastern Niagara
Hospital, the system that now runs that hospital and its satellite enterprises,
for on that same day the news came out that ENH was on a path to further
downsizing: They will be closing the Newfane dialysis center and radiology facility
and shutting the doors at Newfane Express Care.
In the biggest shocker, ENH will be closing the
maternity ward at Lockport – the same unit that brought me into the world, saw
the birth of one of my sons, and nearly birthed our twins a few weeks ago (their
premature delivery demanded a move, by ambulance, from Lockport to
Oishei’s).
It’s incredibly sad that the ward which created
memories for literally tens of thousands of parents will become but a memory
itself.
But, I know it’s a necessary move that reflects the
reality of the world we live in – or more accurately, the state we live in.
If you’ve read this column for any length of time
you know I fret quite often about the ongoing decline of Upstate New York.
Decades of poor leadership from state officials have turned it into a sinking
ship, with businesses, people and prosperity abandoning the woebegone region at
unprecedented rates.
Not only is it something that keeps me up at night
running a factory that serves clients from around the world, it also dominates
my thoughts while serving as board president for two local non-profits that
serve area residents.
Both of those non-profits have lost a significant
number of potential clients, which reflects the shrinking and aging population
of WNY. Because of that, we’ve instituted major changes, have plans in the works
to transform those organizations to meet the changing demographics, and often
ponder long-term nuclear options if the decline of the region happens at a rate
even greater than what it has.
That is, quite likely, the same mess that ENH is in.
Fewer area residents equal fewer patients which equals fewer revenues. On top
of that, there’s the “use it or lose it” syndrome: 65% of area women from a
population of potential child bearers that is 24% lower than it was 20 years
ago choose facilities other than Lockport to have delivery.
So, changes are necessary to save the organization,
changes that include downsizing or elimination of underutilized services to
ensure more “popular” and universally necessary operations can continue in
Lockport. Thousands of businesses and non-profits across Upstate have been
making such decisions for years – and they will continue to.
I doubt any of this is comforting to those who need
or have used ENH’s services or those who work hard to provide them.
I’m in that boat -- it especially pains me to think
of the skilled and caring ladies in the maternity ward who will be out of a
job. They’ve helped my family through some times that have been happy and
scary.
So, for their sake -- and all of ours -- let’s hope
that what ENH is doing is exactly what the doctor ordered and that this
critical lifeline for Eastern Niagara County lives on.
Lockport Memorial saved my life. It likely saved someone
close to you.
If all goes according to plan it will save itself,
too.
Let’s pray that it does.
From the 08
May 2019 Greater Niagara Newspapers and Batavia Daily News
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