Jodi Freeman: How compassionate care at Parkridge West Hospital saved one teacher’s life
For Jodi Freeman, a longtime kindergarten teacher and mother of three, life usually revolves around classrooms, kids’ sports and early morning workouts.
But one evening, when her finger suddenly turned blue, her active world came to a screeching halt. Parkridge West Hospital became the unexpected first step in a life-saving journey.
“I felt fine, really,” Jodi recalls. “I had a few random bruises, but I didn’t think anything of it. It wasn’t until I saw my finger was blue and swollen that I knew something was wrong.”
She drove herself to the Parkridge West ER in Jasper, where she was quickly checked in and evaluated.
From the moment she arrived, Jodi says, she felt the staff’s urgency and compassion.
“Everything moved so fast, and the team was just excellent,” she says. “Kristy, the nurse on duty that night, was a familiar face and immediately put me at ease. They started a physical exam, did X-rays and quickly moved to bloodwork.”
The results were shocking: her platelet count was critically low, just one platelet in fact.
Platelets are the vital blood cells responsible for clotting. Without them, even a small fall or bump can lead to dangerous bleeding.
“I couldn’t believe it. I felt totally fine but was being told I had almost no platelets. I was so scared,” Jodi says. “Kristy took the time to explain what it meant and what needed to happen next. She coordinated everything for my transfer and assured me I was going to get the best care.”
Due to the critical nature of her condition, Kristy arranged for immediate ambulance transport to Parkridge Medical Center, where Jodi was admitted directly to the ICU.
“They told me it wouldn’t be safe to drive. If I had gotten in a wreck, it could have been fatal,” she says.
At Parkridge Medical Center, the ICU team treated her with urgency and gentleness.
Jodi was diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), a rare autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks its own platelets. She received platelet transfusions, immunoglobulin treatments and steroid therapy that worked together to restore her platelet count to a healthy level.
“The nurses were so cautious and kind. I remember them gently cleaning me before I went into ICU, being so careful not to cause bruising,” she recalls.
She credits Dr. Todd, a hospitalist who checked on her daily; Dr. Arrowsmith, the hematologist overseeing her treatment; and Physician Assistant Monica for their attentiveness.
“They talked me through everything. They never made me feel like I was just another patient.”
Within days, her platelet count began to rise and eventually returned to normal levels. She was back to her usual routine in just a couple of weeks.
Now, Jodi reflects on how close she came to a very different outcome and how the care teams at both Parkridge West and Parkridge Medical Center made all the difference.
“I’m so thankful for Kristy. Her quick action and calm confidence got me to where I needed to be,” she says. “Everyone I encountered, from the ER nurse to the ICU tech, from the ambulance crew to the pharmacists, was incredible. I’m beyond thankful.”
Jodi hopes her experience encourages others not to ignore unusual symptoms and to trust their local hospitals.
“There are great people at Parkridge West. They didn’t just run tests, they truly cared. They treated me like I was family.”