Published: February 06, 2010 01:00 am      

TUCKER: DeGraff: Jewel serving the Tonawandas

This week, DeGraff Memorial Hospital is the recipient of kudos on two slightly different topics.

The first is an e-mail from a businessman who wants to heap praise on DeGraff but asked to be anonymous so as not to have customers worried that his health would impact on his business. Here’s his story:

“On Sept. 9, 2009, I began a journey down the medical system highway I have never been on. Unusual chest pains convinced my nurse wife it was time to go to the emergency room at DeGraff Hospital. It wasn’t my first DeGraff visit, I was born there.

“Within seconds of announcing ‘chest pains’ to emergency room staff, I was in a bed and being attended to.

“Checked, prodded, tested and questioned, it was determined I likely had an issue with my heart. Nurses, aides, technicians and doctors were all very professional and genuinely concerned with my well-being. I was told further tests were necessary.

“Next it was off to the 10th floor at Buffalo General Hospital. Again, very professional staff — nurses, technicians, aids and more doctors. Yes, more tests, an angiogram, MRI’s, EKG’s, X-rays, blood tests, urine tests and on and on.

“I was informed heart surgery was necessary. The next 24 hours are a blank. I remember waking up on the opposite end of the 10th floor. Again, another very professional crew of doctors, nurses, aids, etc. It seemed every few minutes someone was checking the various hoses, tubes, meters, gauges, etc. Further, there was a parade of pills and shots in between the checking.

“Then it was time to get out of bed and move around. I wanted to go home. Hospital staff said they would decide when it was time for me to leave. In due time, four days after the surgery, I was ‘paroled’ with a lengthy do’s, don’t dos, eat, don’t eat list and a bushel of pills and a series of doctors appointments.

“The next crew came from the VNA (Visiting Nurses Association). Again, several very professional and caring nurses would stop at my home and check on my well being.

“The ‘do’s’ list included cardiac rehab back where it all began — DeGraff Hospital. Again, more professional nurses, technicians, aids, etc. all concerned with my well-being.

“My trip down the medical highway was an amazing journey thanks to all the extremely professional, caring people who looked after me, especially my nurse wife. There were so many people and places who contributed to my care, it is impossible to remember all their names, titles and jobs.

“To all those who work at DeGraff, Buffalo General and VNA, my family and I are glad you’re there. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you.

“Health care in America works. Washington should stay out of it.”

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Now for my own story with regard to the well-deserved accolades being heaped on DeGraff’s skilled nursing facility: My daughter’s brother-in-law David, recuperating from a horrific accident, recently stayed in the extended care unit. When I stopped by to bring him a Tonawanda News and chat, it was so apparent that he was receiving not only excellent treatment, food he enjoyed (he’s an amateur chef) but staff people who are friendly and caring. Now at home, he continues to extol DeGraff. Just an aside, because David is so tall (nearly 6 feet, 8 inches) the staff brought in a longer bed and larger wheelchair for him so he would be more comfortable. Now that’s caring.

•••

Dave Battaglia of Tonawanda e-mailed that the comments about not having to pack lunches for school had him laughing.

“I moved to Tonawanda in 1955, living on Ellicott Creek Road in front of Millstream Village,” Dave wrote. “The village was just building up, but some of my classmates lived on Frederick Road at the end of the city. We all attended Delaware School in 1955-56, and we walked to school in the morning, home at lunch and back, and home after school. Then, the district built Mullen school, and we went there for ‘56-’57, but had to go back to Delaware for ‘57-’58 because Mullen only went up to fifth grade. We were the ones that wore down the path from Young Street to Cranbrook Extension that was eventually paved by the city. I find it amusing to listen to parents today talk about not letting their children walk to school or how they should be bused. We did not have busing in the ’60s, and until we or our friends got cars, we walked to the junior high and the senior high. After sports practice, it was not unusual to get home at 6:30 in the winter. Sad that kids have it so tough now, isn’t it?”

Contact community editor

Barbara Tucker at 693-1000,

ext. 110, or e-mail barbara.tucker@

tonawanda-news.com.