I had an encounter with the Emergency Room at J.C. Fremont hospital recently.  Suffice it to say a very bad bug hit me, bad enough to get in my car and drive there at 4:30 AM on a cold December morning.  This is not intended to expand upon the nature of the malady, but to commend Fremont Hospital for the immediacy of their response and for the extraordinary care I received from their staff all the way from doctors, nurses and their aides for the following ten days. 

I don’t remember too much about the early hours following my visit, except that in a very short time clothing was replaced with hospital garb, monitors were installed, a mask placed over my face, and a maze of tubes with various fluids were transmitting lifesaving medications through veins and other means in order to ease the discomfort caused by this condition.  The days following were equally attended, it seemed as if every few minutes someone showed up with vials of medication, vital signs monitored,  masks replaced, oxygen tanks re-installed, x-ray machines taking pictures and various tests being performed. 

Being of somewhat advanced age, I am no stranger to hospitals and quite capable of making comparisons.  The care and attention I received at Fremont surpasses anything I have encountered anywhere no matter how high the hospital rating.  Being somewhat of an independent person, as my condition improved and I was able to take walks and to eat the meals placed before me (which while simple food, was served hot, freshly prepared and tasty) I became somewhat testy over the seemingly endless interruptions during the following days.  But as I have to acknowledge they helped to speed my way to full recovery, and for that I also thank J. C. Fremont and its staff.  I also apologize for being a bit crabby at times, which as one of the nurses told me, was a sign I was getting well. 

And believe it or not, a few days after I returned to my home I received a “thank you” card from the staff directly in charge of my care.  And a neighbor of mine, a volunteer ombudswoman, and member of their Board, thanked me as well for patronizing J.C. Fremont.

I feel the people of Mariposa should be thankful for the excellence we enjoy in the way of health care.  Thank you again, J.C. Fremont Hospital. 

Lucille Apcar
Mariposa, CA.