When Recovery Took an Unexpected Turn, Compassionate Care at East Jefferson General Hospital Made a Difference for Yvette Hymel

After years of worsening back pain, surgery became the only option for Yvette Hymel. She expected recovery to be challenging, but a series of unexpected events would bring her back to East Jefferson General Hospital for two additional stays. What could have been an overwhelming experience, instead became a powerful example of compassionate care.  

Nearly 15 years ago, Yvette underwent her first back surgery to fuse several vertebrae in her lower spine. Over time, her upper back would experience the same wear and tear.  

“I just had bad bones that were deteriorating over time,” Yvette explained. “The surgeon let me run through all of the non-surgical options to delay surgery. But when my pain was an eight or higher on a scale of one to 10 every day, I knew it was time to schedule surgery.” 

Ready for relief 

Yvette arrived at East Jefferson General Hospital early the morning of December 2, 2025, for her surgery, which went well. After a few hours in the ICU, she was transferred to a patient care unit. 

“I was worried about pain after the surgery, but the team did a great job of managing it and keeping me comfortable,” Yvette said. “And every person I came into contact with was so friendly and helpful.”  

After a few days of recovery, Yvette was discharged home and thought the hardest part of recovery was behind her.  

“At home, my husband helped me get comfortable in bed so that I could take a nap and said he’d check on me every 20 to 30 minutes,” Yvette said. “The next thing I remember is waking up in a hospital room.”  

While she can’t remember exactly what happened, Yvette believes that she woke up from her nap and tried to get up on her own, without calling her husband for help. The next time her husband checked on her, he found her lying on the floor with a puddle of blood around her head.  

An unexpected return 

Yvette was transported via ambulance back to East Jefferson General Hospital, where doctors determined she had suffered a concussion and a small area of bleeding in her brain from the fall at home.  

“I was brought right back to the patient care unit I had left just that morning,” Yvette explained. “Over the next few days, specialists from imaging, physical therapy, occupational therapy, ENT, cardiology, and neurology worked together to treat my injuries and determine what caused my fall.”  

Despite the uncertainty surrounding her condition, one thing stood out to Yvette throughout her stay: the consistent compassion of the staff at East Jefferson General Hospital. 

“It’s the little things that I remember the most,” Yvette said. “Like how the night shift didn’t flip on the lights as they came in the room so that I didn’t startle awake. Or, if I didn’t feel like eating what was on my food tray, the nurses would ask if I wanted a sandwich or another snack. It was important to them that I ate, so they were always offering to get me something else and would say, ‘I’d be happy to get it for you.’ They never made me feel like a bother.” 

All of Yvette’s scans and tests came back clear. Since she remained stable during this second stay, doctors determined she could be safely discharged again on Friday, December 12. 

A third hospital stay 

Over the next few days, Yvette would have two episodes of fainting after standing up. Concerned that Yvette might fall again, her husband called 911, and Yvette was brought back to the same patient care unit at East Jefferson General Hospital on Sunday, December 14. 

After more tests, it was determined that low blood pressure was likely the reason for Yvette’s fall and fainting episodes.  

“I’m still on medication to help raise my blood pressure,” Yvette explained. “It can still leave me lightheaded or dizzy if I stand up too fast, but otherwise, I’m fully recovered from my surgery and the fall.”  

During nearly two and a half weeks at East Jefferson General Hospital, Yvette interacted with dozens of people—from nurses and therapists to imaging technicians, physicians, and environmental services staff. While she can’t remember every name, the kindness she experienced from each of them is something she won’t forget. 

“What I was dreading most about the surgery was the time in the hospital,” Yvette said. “I’ve been in other hospitals before where staff weren’t very friendly or caring, but I felt at ease and confident in the care at East Jefferson General Hospital the entire time.” 

Yvette also recalled how staff cared for her husband and daughter.  

“My husband visited twice a day, and my daughter came every day,” Yvette recalled. “The staff patiently answered our questions, which reassured my family that I was in great hands when they couldn’t be there. I wish I could remember everyone’s names, because there was not a single person there who was unfriendly or made me feel like a bother for being back a third time.” 

The care that made a difference 

Yvette was discharged on Wednesday, December 17. As she reflected on her three admissions, she recognized that the compassionate care she received made a tough time easier.  

“I cannot emphasize this enough – every single staff member I interacted with was kind and friendly,” Yvette said. “They went out of their way to keep my spirits up while taking great care of me.”  

At East Jefferson General Hospital, patients like Yvette benefit from compassionate, multidisciplinary care designed to support recovery at every stage—from surgery and inpatient treatment to rehabilitation and follow-up care. We’re committed to caring for each other like family, which means doing a little extra to make people feel at home.  

For more information about the patient care services offered at East Jefferson General Hospital, visit East Jefferson General Hospital - Metairie, LA - LCMC Health