Shoutout to Waterbury Hospital

Submitted by throwaway061557 t3_10qrtmj in Connecticut

A month ago I was hospitalized at Waterbury Hospital for severe depression. I was there for a week.

I was very impressed and touched by the kindness and compassion that was shown to me by the staff at Waterbury Hospital. The phlebotomist comforted me and shared her own struggle with depression. The nurses and techs were soft-spoken, respectful, and friendly. The psychiatrist listened to me and was patient. The social worker was always understanding and encouraging.

My room in the Behavioral Health unit was comfortable. It had its own private shower. The food was good, and we could get a lot of it. We just had to eat with a paper spoon.

The last time I was in the hospital, I was at Yale, and it felt like a prison. The staff was condescending and sometimes rude. The room had no windows. The shower was communal.

I want to thank the staff in the Behavioral Health unit in some way, but I don’t know how. I even thought of sending them Dunkin donut gift cards. They saved my life.

Edit: Thank you everyone for your well wishes. I am doing a lot better now, and I’m very glad I went to the hospital. I’m a 30-year-old woman with a great job and supportive family and friends. I’m happy to be here.

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iCUman t1_j6rqjit wrote

Don't discount the value in sending a simple and sincere thank you note that expresses how these folks have made a positive impact on your life. I'm sure they'd be appreciative of a gift card, but sometimes just knowing that you made a small difference in one person's life is worth more than all the gift cards in the world.

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throwaway061557 OP t1_j6rsgil wrote

I will send them a thank you card. Thanks for the idea!

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Ziggy1433 t1_j6rw3tu wrote

Don't send pizza, they've had enough of that lol!

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lat3ralus65 t1_j6srh0p wrote

As someone in the health care world, I’d 100% agree with this

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TacoDaTugBoat t1_j6rndxq wrote

I’ve had two kids at Waterbury. Some injuries addressed as well. The staff there are great. Far better than anything you’d expect in Waterbury.

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MBAlliance2011 t1_j6sxryk wrote

Glad to hear you had a positive birthing experience at Waterbury Hospital. We had both of our kids there and it was pretty bad both times, especially with the second.

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Who-dee-knee t1_j6t7icc wrote

I had an interesting experience with labor and delivery there too. they were so so short staffed. I was straightforward thank god, but they left some things to be desired

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MBAlliance2011 t1_j6t9fzb wrote

It's especially off putting when I hear about our friends experiences at Yale and Mass General. You'd think they were 5 star resorts compared to WHS.

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Mycatreallyhatesyou t1_j6rv8dz wrote

When I had my youngest there 22 years ago they never mopped the floor in the time I was in the room. The room I gave birth in and stayed for a day and a half. Hopefully they’ve improved.

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PhilipLiptonSchrute t1_j6rqwep wrote

I've had Waterbury hospital save my life on three occasions, and I was also born there. I too shout out to them.

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deedum44 t1_j6rteo5 wrote

This was pleasant to read considering all I ever hear about Waterbury are negative things.

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IndicationOver t1_j6stb3a wrote

Hospital has nothing to do with the area imo.

Hartford Hospital is fine, Yale in New Haven in fine etc.

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Outrageous_Total_100 t1_j6supqs wrote

I would beg to differ regarding Hartford Hospital. My son was kept waiting in the emergency room for 17 hours with appendicitis. They misdiagnosed my ovarian torsion while I was pregnant with twins and sent me home with pain killers. Well this pain is like no other and my husband took me back to the ER where they admitted me but didn’t diagnosis that I had a dying organ in my body until the next morning and was subsequently rushed into emergency surgery. I could go on and on. They suck.

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IndicationOver t1_j6tba8i wrote

>I would beg to differ regarding Hartford Hospital.

I been to HH for emergency with no problems. Every situation is not going to be the same of course.

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merryone2K t1_j6rtod3 wrote

Waterbury Hospital gets a bad rap; granted, the ER on any given evening is an absolute shitshow (6-8 hour wait times), but so are ERs across the country right now. When I had a kidney stone attack (and five subsequent surgeries for same) last year, once I was admitted I couldn't fault the quality of care I received by the entire team, from transport right up to my urologist.

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mynameisnotshamus t1_j6sc5tj wrote

I know you’re getting a lot of well wishes and positive energy. I could just upvote but I want to send whatever positivity your way. I don’t know you but I’m proud of you. There may be more down times ahead, but there very well could be many more good times. Great big rollercoaster of emotion and experiences. No appreciation of light without some darkness. Thank you for posting, it brightened my morning.

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rose-buds t1_j6sgbzl wrote

this is a nice post. i'm also a 30 year old woman who struggles with mental health, and i'm happy to hear this. also happy to hear that you're doing better! one 30f nutmegger to another.

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PikaChooChee t1_j6s4zu5 wrote

How are you doing these days? I’m glad you’re here.

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throwaway061557 OP t1_j6s799d wrote

I am slowly recovering, but I have a great support network. I’m doing a lot better. I’m glad I went to the hospital.

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Lifeandall2 t1_j6t93mz wrote

Hello, fellow Waterbury behavior unit graduate! I was there right before things got locked down with covid. It's very different than yale's!

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Quiperstein t1_j6ts80d wrote

waterbury hospital has been there for me at my absolute worst times, love the staff there

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scooobsmama t1_j6sdbl4 wrote

Waterbury native here! I have no personal experience of being hospitalized in Waterbury but I have the hospitalized in both Boston and Raleigh North Carolina. I'm so sorry that your depression led to your hospitalization, but I am so happy you got the help that you seem like you needed.

I have also brought in thanks to staff before, and things like coffee or delivery service gift cards where what I went with. I hope you get to give them a gift that makes you feel good. Best of luck to you and I hope your depression gets better

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throwaway061557 OP t1_j6sdvbt wrote

Thankfully, I’m financially stable, so I wanted to send 30 or so gift cards to Dunkin Donuts for the staff. I’m just afraid my gift would get rejected and sent back to me. The whole floor is locked down, so I can’t just go up there in person.

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scooobsmama t1_j6sgq52 wrote

Oh you're right there. I hope the hospital staff works with you to get it where you want it to go.

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vdubsbars92 t1_j6shr2l wrote

Can you call a receptionist at the floor to try help arrange

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CABGX4 t1_j6vct3h wrote

Your sentiment is very kind, but as someone in healthcare, healthcare workers are not allowed to accept monetary gifts for any reason. They'd probably appreciate some unusual food gift, not pizza because that's been so overdone. Maybe a platter of Italian biscuits, or a big box of pastries.

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lisapocalypse t1_j6sfenl wrote

I'm so glad that you had a great experience with them. I've also struggled, and spent time in psych units. Most of my times in psych units, there were four in total, were in the 1980s. I came really close a year ago, in fact they were going to but didn't at the last minute. I was terrified and your message makes me feel much more hopeful that if I need it might not be the end of the world

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throwaway061557 OP t1_j6skxd0 wrote

I didn’t like my experience at Yale Hospital 10 years ago, but Waterbury Hospital helped me get better. Everyone was so sweet, even when there were problematic patients. They seemed to really like their jobs. Group therapy was actually quite fun.

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lisapocalypse t1_j6t3r6p wrote

That's so great. I just missed being inpatient at IOL last year, and ended up in partial hospitalization then Intensive Outpatient Program. It was good I think! I'm glad you had such a good experience, and are recovering.

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throwaway061557 OP t1_j6t5l2e wrote

I hope you’re doing better!

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lisapocalypse t1_j6t8ew9 wrote

IOP really nailed down my medicine cocktail. That was the key. I am doing dramatically better now, thank you.

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gregra193 t1_j6sl8s7 wrote

If you get a bill, check out their charity care policy, you could get a discount on your bill all the way up to 399% of your FPL. That’s $58k for a single individual. If it doesn’t help you, hopefully it helps somebody else.

https://www.waterburyhospital.org/patients-and-visitors/notices-to-patients/charity-care-policy/

Glad you are feeling better!

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wfd363 t1_j6thpvk wrote

As an EMT that only goes to a couple hospitals, Waterbury is my favorite to bring patients to. Some of my favorite nurses there.

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nlingley81 t1_j6smrsg wrote

I’m so happy you sought help and made it through. Never forget how important you are and how strong you are. It’s takes great strength to ask for help. ❤️

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ashlietta t1_j6sv3z3 wrote

I’m so glad you got the help you needed! I know a nurse who works in that unit so I’ll be sure to show her this post next time I see her. Usually, staff are not allowed to accept gifts of “monetary value” but you could have some snacks/food delivered and that should be ok (don’t forget about night shift 😉). But honestly & truly, a heartfelt card or letter sent to the unit to thank the staff is always most appreciated. Nursing can often be a thankless job and we treasure those cards/letters. Good luck to you in your continued recovery ❤️

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00spacecadet00 t1_j6tjkg4 wrote

So glad you are doing well. Mental health is rough and I’m glad you’ve found a provider that treated you with respect and care.

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strong_heart27 t1_j6sa3oo wrote

Can I ask, did you just show up? Or did you call ahead? I am so glad you are in a better place now ❤️

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AmandaRL514 t1_j6sbugd wrote

Awesome!

Middlesex's Behavioral Health unit is great too! I hope everyone with similar needs aren't too afraid to get this help. Thank you for sharing!

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throwaway061557 OP t1_j6sd2ew wrote

Yes! If you are having suicidal thoughts, please call 911 or go to the hospital.

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midmodmad t1_j6te8rs wrote

I’m so pleased to read you had a positive experience and I wish you happier days ahead.

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Hinken1815 t1_j6tlw4y wrote

My mother passed away from complications of a stroke. She was in telemetry at waterbury hospital for a few weeks. She passed in hospice care on that floor. I love them for what they did for her.

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CTNutmeg t1_j6rzowm wrote

anyone else read the post title as "shootout"? lol.

Glad you had a good experience there OP. Bring them a box of donuts or something to thank them.

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throwaway061557 OP t1_j6rzxwd wrote

The whole floor is locked because it’s a psychiatric unit. I don’t think I can go there.

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narrow_octopus t1_j6unw3r wrote

Glad to hear you're feeling better. My daughter was born there and they were amazing

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throwaway061557 OP t1_j6v3p5o wrote

I initially thought only the third shift people were nice, but I soon learned EVERYONE was nice.

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Known-Imagination-89 t1_j6t89t6 wrote

Had bad experience with that hospital. Had to send an elderly family member to the er with drug and mental health issues several times. They just send them home with no accountability. They said they weren't responsible. Didn't admit them or even try to set them up with a program.

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Jeepdog539 t1_j6u5g8w wrote

That's good to hear. Glad you had a good experience and are doing better. I know when my mother was working at the hospital, she would always really appreciate when someone would buy the nurses dinner. Like from an actual restaurant. As good as the food may be at the hospital, I guarantee that there are some better restaurants nearby. Just a thought.

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throwaway061557 OP t1_j6ufvzm wrote

I would love to do this for the staff, but the floor is locked due to the nature of the treatment.

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Jeepdog539 t1_j6z4zna wrote

So no outside food allowed in? Even delivery?

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necro_ill-bill t1_j6un88q wrote

Interesting. When I got surgery on my finger to repair broken bone and got a metal rod inserted, they fucked up my local anesthesia and I felt everything for like 5 minutes

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WTFhairyRabbit t1_j6up07f wrote

An edible arrangement are delicious and mostly healthy!

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