Ralph and Anne
The Mitchells entered the hospital a few days apart, but needed different levels of care during the pandemic. However, they were able to stay connected.
Ralph and Anne Mitchell, 94 and 90 years old, have dedicated their long lives to service. They fulfilled five missions for their church, aiding local areas as well as Manchester, England; and they’ve influenced and inspired their 11 blended children, heaps of grandchildren and hundreds of great-grandchildren.
“They’re very thoughtful and kind,” said Matt Porter, Anne’s youngest son. “They always give generously and try to do good for others. I love that about them.”
Though the couple thrives when giving, the combination of their seasoned age with a viral pandemic quickly put them in a position of receiving service to survive.
Trusting Mountain View Hospital with mom
“We don’t know exactly how they caught Covid-19,” Matt said. “One night I went to see them and could tell something was definitely wrong with my mom. She hadn’t eaten in a couple days, and she didn’t seem completely coherent.”
Matt followed his instincts and took Annie to Mountain View Hospital. Recognizing that due to coronavirus restrictions he wouldn’t be at his mother’s hospital bedside, Matt needed a hospital he could trust.
“Before COVID, Ralph had been to Mountain View Hospital two times within that year for mini-strokes. He was treated very well each time. And I’ve had good experiences in the past there too. In fact, I would say that at Mountain View I’m confident we’ll have a very good experience,” Matt said.
Anne tested positive for COVID-19, and due to dangerously low oxygen scores she was admitted to the ICU for vigilant care. A few days later, Ralph also came down with the virus and Matt delivered his next family member to the Emergency Room at Mountain View Hospital.
Communicating creatively: Love notes update and uplift patients
Because Ralph’s oxygen levels remained stable and he suffered less severe symptoms than his wife, he was admitted to a different hospital floor. When hospital staff became aware that the sweethearts were separated, they worked to connect Ralph and Anne.
With ICU space in high demand, the couple couldn’t room next to one another; nor could Ralph visit the ICU. However, the hospital teams creatively arranged to write and carry love notes between the couple of 45 years.
“I haven’t read their love notes from their time in the hospital,” Matt said. “But I can say that over the years, they have been very affectionate toward each other.”
Impressed with the delivery of love and compassion alongside high-quality healthcare amid a pandemic, Matt said the hospital teams’ focus on communication between spouses and with family members outside the hospital brought reassurance to a difficult situation.
“At Mountain View Hospital it feels like you get more personal care. It’s nice to have a smaller community hospital with a hometown feel. I don’t think you get that at some of the bigger hospitals in the area,” Matt said.
Connecting patients to a continuum of healthcare
Over time Anne’s body overcame the virus, but her symptoms lingered. She suffered from a pneumonia that needed more attention than she could get at home or even at an assisted living center. So, hospital staff coordinated care with a skilled nursing facility dedicated to providing recovering coronavirus patients with the level of attention and rehabilitation needed.
From Mountain View Hospital, the pair moved to the skilled nursing facility, improving in the same room together. Then, after nearly 8 weeks there, Ralph and Anne progressed to an assisted living facility, where they spent another month regaining strength. Today, the happy couple are finally back at home together, caring for one another.
Anne and Ralph feel grateful to the healthcare workers at Mountain View Hospital and across the healthcare continuum.