(MOBILE, Ala.) April 15 - Fred Goings has supported his family for 70 years and now finds himself in need of support. "I've had a heart operation. I had a lower lobe taken off my right lung. I got asbestosis. I got bone cancer."
If it weren't for nurse Else Robinson he would still be helpless. She said, "When I first came I think, I got him a wheelchair, then he went from a wheelchair to a walker, and now we don't have anything!"
Rosemary McDonald explained, "Since 1949, Mercy Medical has cared for the sick, injured and dying. We provide hospice care. We provide skilled nursing. We provide long term care; plus we have six residential facilities"
Mercy Medical also extends care to the young like Matthew Chatom. A playground accident landed him in bed with a broken left femur. As you can imagine, caring for a child in a body cast is a challenge, but nurse Kathy Ledbetter is there to help.
Matthew's mohter Leigh said, "They've made us feel better about bringing him home, because I was scared, I was going to hurt him. They've been really good."
Mercy Medical's goal is providing the patients the most comfort possible so that they can carry on with whatever life they have left in the most comfort possible.
Mercy Medical has served nearly 500 children and could use financial help for families who cannot afford care.
If you would like to help a child, contribute to Mercy Medical's and NBC 15's Guardian Angel Program. Visit www.mercymedical.com or call 251.621.4400 or 800.476.1354.
