In Good Hands

What happened when I finally got the care I deserved.

The past few days have been hard, like, truly hard.
Last Tuesday, I passed out at my primary care doctor’s office. One moment I was standing, the next I was in the ER. Turns out I was severely dehydrated from Norovirus and had a vasovagal reaction to pain, and it landed me in the hospital for four days.

But this story isn’t just about getting sick. It’s about what happened when I finally felt like I was in good hands.

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My First Health Crisis Since Leaving Kaiser

This was the first major health crisis I’ve had since leaving Kaiser.
And let me tell you, I noticed the difference immediately.

In the past, I’ve had to:

• Call the ER myself
• Direct my own care
• Follow up with providers who never followed up with me

Most of the time, I could handle it. I had to. But this illness took me out.
And it gave me something I haven’t had in a long time: perspective.

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This Time Was Different

This time, I passed out at the office of my concierge doctor, Dr. Ebone Bourne, at Premiere Concierge of Atlanta.

And for once, I wasn’t the one making the calls.

I remember Tina’s soft, sweet face holding my hand.
I remember Vicky staying by my side, telling me not to be embarrassed.
I remember both doctors running to me, ER style, fast, in charge, no hesitation.
They were there. And I was safe.

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Admitted and Finally, Relief

I was taken to Northside Atlanta. The ER doctor gave me something for the pain right away (which shouldn’t be radical, but it was). Then they admitted me for pain management and hydration, something I didn’t even know was a valid reason to be admitted until now.

I spent the next few days being pumped full of fluids, with a team that checked in, comforted me, and made sure I was okay. For the first time in six months, I was close to pain-free. For the first time in ages, I actually slept.

And in the middle of it all?
My doctor was texting me. His MA was calling.
They were still showing up even after I’d been handed over to the hospital team.

That’s what being in good hands feels like.
Not just care. Connection. Continuity. Compassion.

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Today, I Opened My Laptop

It’s been days since I had the strength to open this laptop.
I still feel like my body weighs 10,000 pounds.
I’m sore. My stomach hurts. When I miss a dose of meds, my heart races.
I’ve mostly just been sitting quietly, reading, thinking, breathing. And feeling grateful.

Grateful that I didn’t pass out in an Uber.
Grateful that I wasn’t taken to Emory Decatur.
Grateful that this happened in a place where people saw me as a person, not just a patient.

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If You’re Wondering Whether Concierge Care Is Worth It…

Let me tell you: it is.
It’s worth every cent.

Because when you’re chronically ill, you already carry the weight of explaining yourself over and over.
You already anticipate being dismissed.
You already brace for the gaps, the silences, the flat “follow up with your PCP” and the long waits.

But this time, I didn’t have to explain.
They knew me.
They ran to me.
They followed through.
They cared.

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So If You’re on the Fence…

If you’ve been wondering whether concierge or direct care is right for you, I’m not here to sell you anything.
I’m just saying: don’t be afraid to want more.
More connection. More time. More humanity.
Because when you’re in the right hands, everything changes.

I’m healing. I’m held. I’m heard.
And for the first time in a long time, I know I’m going to be okay.

🖤
Catt @ The Zebra Network

Shout-out to my girls, Danielle RN and Helen RN! May our Heavenly Father return the care and love you so freely give to others