Dexterity is important to cake decorators. Amanda Myers, Jamestown, knew she needed care when she felt numbness in her wrist and pain radiate up her right arm. She needed that arm and that hand as she earned her living in a grocery store bakery, frosting birthday cakes and writing on them in icing.
She chose Jamestown Regional Medical Center’s Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Timothy Volk because he acknowledged her and took her seriously.
“He listened to me,” she said. “Plus, I didn’t have to wait long for my appointment. He scheduled my surgery for the end of that week.”
Her surgery, to heal her carpal tunnel syndrome, was short, simple and she’s had no pain since, Myers said.
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway on the palm side of the hand. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include pain, numbness and tingling in the hand or arm. Repetitive motions as well as an individual’s health history and wrist anatomy can contribute to it.
CARE CLOSE TO HOME
“Listening to patients is crucial,” Dr. Volk said. “It’s important to give them the options they need and deserve. Helping people get back to the work and people they love is rewarding.”
Myers required surgery for the pain. She also required surgery because she is the mother of two children, ages 12 and 15.
“I need to do my job. I need to make money,” she said.
Individuals can know it’s time to see a specialist when they can’t grab objects anymore or if the pain wakes them up at night, Dr. Volk said.
Myers said she expected very good care at JRMC after previous experiences. She remembers the care of the Emergency Department and Patient Care Unit when the care teams saved her from a life-threatening illness. She also remembers having a surgery to repair a hernia at JRMC. After the procedure and when she was back to work, her surgeon would stop and see her at the bakery when he was grocery shopping – just to check on her.
“Why put 1,000 miles on your car when the care here is better and more individualized?” she said.
Today, Myers is a new employee at JRMC. She joined the nutrition team in January and prepares meals for patients and breakfast for anyone visiting the Apple Basket Café. She said she couldn’t believe meals at JRMC are homemade and not pre-packaged.
“Homemade hospital food? This is magic,” she said.
In her first few weeks, Myers said she’s grateful. Her team has welcomed her and she’s glad to use her creativity in the kitchen.
“Working at JRMC feels like a well-kept secret,” she said. “You can tell it’s a Best Place to Work.”
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