Rhonda Kruise is a dog lover. Specifically, rescued English Bulldogs. It’s part of the reason she and her husband, Ronald Lee, decided to call Stillwater home. The now four-year residents were previously in search of quality veterinary care, as their nine-year-old rescue, Tater, needed specialized surgery.
Oklahoma State University’s Veterinary Medical Hospital offered just that. Yet, this was only one of the two primary reasons Stillwater was the ideal fit.
“When you’re moving somewhere at our age, you want to make sure you have a good medical center, a good group of doctors, to provide what we need as we get older,” Rhonda said. “And Stillwater was highly rated.”
In August, Rhonda would experience that care for herself. For six days, she was hospitalized, after Lee brought her in for losing consciousness three times in the previous day. Rhonda has fibromyalgia coupled with spine issues from compressed nerves.
After many tests, the problem was found elsewhere- in Rhonda’s electrolytes, which were nearly at zero, along with severe dehydration and anemia. She described it as a “perfect storm,” one that left her disoriented and her mind feeling foggy.
“That’s unusual for me. I felt really vulnerable and scared, and you know, that’s how people feel when they’re stuck in a situation like that,” Rhonda said.
Despite the emotional turmoil and vulnerability she felt, Rhonda found peace in her team of providers. The team atmosphere of patients, doctors and nurses working collaboratively together was one she noticed and appreciated.
“I think what set Stillwater Medical apart from any place I’ve ever been — and in 70 years, you meet a lot of medical professionals — is here, they truly, truly listened to what I was saying and worked with me as part of a team,” Rhonda said. “That’s rare.”
Yet, a six-day hospitalization was not filled with complete ease, especially in comparison to Rhonda’s everyday life at a home filled with energetic, loyal dogs and her husband. She said Lee visited frequently, but inevitably, she felt lonely at times. Despite this, she said she never felt by herself. Rhonda credits this to her team of providers, led by Dr. Bruce Baugher. They listened, heard and saw Rhonda, holding out a reaching hand to help her during a vulnerable time.
“They were extraordinary, and I will carry that with me forever,” Rhonda said. “They changed my life. They changed my heart. And that’s a lovely thing.”
