Methodist Healthcare System | Keeping Well | Fall 2020

IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH IN-HOSPITAL WEDDING BRINGS HAPPINESS TO FAMILY After nine years together, Alyssa Ritter, 31, was not surprised when Jonathan Schonefeld, 34, proposed. When Jonathan was diagnosed with cancer that was spreading throughout his body, the hospital care team at Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant wanted to help make their wedding a reality before he was moved to hospice. Jonathan and Alyssa’s families received special permission to attend the ceremony, which made the day even more memorable for all. Hospital staff organized the wedding, arranging for flowers, a cake and for a chaplain to officiate. “Mr. Schonefeld has been with us since May, so today is just a huge mix of emotions,” said Debbie Ferrari, R.N., at Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant. “All the happiness and the pain that he’s been going through lately, for these few minutes he was able to put that away and be with the love of his life and marry her, which was his biggest goal and dream. To be a part of that was beyond amazing and special. If we had the opportunity to bring a little bit of happiness into someone’s life, just for a few minutes, then everything we do is worth it.” A month after the ceremony, Johnathan died at home surrounded by his wife and family. STAFF ORGANIZES BIRTHDAY WEEK While her birthday looked slightly different this year, Olivia Gomez did not let COVID-19 stop her from being celebrated. With her family in Corpus Christi, her Methodist Hospital | Northeast care team orga- nized a full week of birthday festivities to ensure that Ms. Gomez did not celebrate her special day alone. The staff brought her a special birthday “recovery” kit with a comfy blanket, a faux succulent plant (she grows aloe at home) and a large coffee mug. On the day before her birthday, she was served a hamburger with Cheetos, her choice for her pre-birthday meal, and a birthday cupcake was served on her special day. “As soon as the staff brought those first few gifts, Ms. Gomez said she knew we were angels sent by God,” said Schiandra Abalos, her NurseManager. “Her daughter was so grateful that God sent our staff to be with her, knowing she was scared of feeling alone and having to be so far from her family at a time like this.” AN ANNIVERSARY MEANT FOR SONG AND DANCE Jonathan Gordon was battling pancreatic cancer at Methodist Hospital. His care team wanted to surprise him and his wife, Susan, with a special anniversary celebration, complete with a cake, balloons and a reminiscent photo of the lovebirds. Jonathan’s nurse came into work especially for the celebration so she could sing their wedding song and offer them a special dance. THAT GOES BEYOND MEDICINE Healing LEFT Methodist Hospital staff helped H.S. and Janice Colvin celebrate their 48th wedding anniversary while Mr. Colvin received care for COVID-19. “The patient’s face lit up once he saw his lovely bride walk into the room,” said Krystal Mantei, Nurse Manager. MIDDLE Though this anniversary looked different from those in past years, staff at Methodist Hospital was able to help Jose and Yolanda Garza celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary on the same day that Mrs. Garza was moved to inpatient rehab. She had been in the hospital for several weeks for COVID-19 care. RIGHT Lawrence and Nancy Jackson celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary at Methodist Hospital while both were being treated for COVID-19. Our Food and Nutrition Department and their care teams helped surprise them with a celebratory lunch together. The couple traditionally celebrates their anniversary with BBQ, and this year would be no different. Their son was able to surprise them with some BBQ to add to their spe- cial meal. Wishing the couple many more anniversaries in the future! 2 F A L L 2 0 2 0 K E E P I N G W E L L