Sue - Grateful patient of Dr. Humphrey

Broken Nose

On August 17, 2009, I was hit with a softball thrown by my varsity pitcher...and it came from "nowhere!"  I have coached high school softball for 31 years and have never been injured while coaching.  We were having an indoor practice and the situation was so shocking because there should not have been a ball traveling in the path to my face.  It was like hitting a concrete wall without any warning.  Wow...it stung!!!  The ball hit me from behind on the right side of my face, causing an eye contusion and a broken nose.  I immediately called for ice (cure for all athletic injuries) and a trainer.  I walked to the coach's office dripping in blood and was told the trainer could not be found.  I wanted to be sure this injury was receiving the proper ice to minimize damage to my face.  The tennis coach, whose mother is the school nurse, walked in.  I requested to have her called.  I then looked in the mirror for the first time and saw my nose on the other side of my face, not to mention the swelling and rainbow of colors already present on my face.  I asked for someone to bring me a chair with a back on it; I thought I was going to pass out.  I had my daughter called to come pick me up and alert our weight-training group that the party was off for tonight; didn't think I was up to lifting weights.  My daughter, trainer and nurse all arrived and off to St. Joe I went.  The week involved workman comp appointments for my eye and nose. I told them I wanted good care to put me back together.  I was in great hands when they sent me to Dr. Humphrey.

I saw Dr. Humphrey for the first time three days after the injury at 8:45 AM.  He said I was a perfect candidate for surgery and being within a fresh state of brokenness (to my nose), it would be a great fix and probably not need any incisions.  He could go right up through the nose and put those pieces right back together.  Sure sounded like a Humpty Dumpty story, with a much better ending.  After many questions from me, and continual patience and kindness from Dr. Humphrey and his nursing staff, we scheduled surgery for the next morning at 6:30 AM.  I was very nervous about surgery and Dr. Humphrey assured me that it would be very easily done and treated me with care.  I know he does a lot of these, but this was a first and only for me and he took time with me like I was his only patient!!  

I remember the very personal, but quick and efficient care given by all involved with the prep for the surgery.  I was very impressed with all whom I came in contact with.  Dr. Humphrey came and talked with me before surgery and the next thing I knew, I was out of surgery and repeating to Dr. Humphrey over and over, "Wow...17 minutes...are you really already done?"  No incisions were needed and the job was completed and done very well.

When I came back for my follow-up check-up, Dr. Humphrey was very humble in asking me if I would be a part of the Grateful Patient Story Program and there was no hesitation on my part; he did a wonderful thing for me and I would gladly share. My experience was a very good one, not that I want to EVER break my nose again, but I definitely want to compliment Dr. Humphrey on a job well done and how much I appreciated how he handled himself and had such good bedside manner.  I believe Dr. Humphrey to be not only very professional, but friendly and genuine while caring for his patients.  It means a lot to have the care and dedication of a gifted doctor. 

I would like to say thank-you so very much for getting my nose back in the center of my face and, even more importantly, keeping everything light-hearted but with clear and straightforward information from start to finish.  Best wishes with your newest member to the family, and I hope you can get some sleep between the baby and patients.  Again, I am SO grateful that I had no complications and truly believe that the care of the doctors and their staff make a difference; you guys at KU are terrific!!  Thank-you Dr. Humphrey; you have my vote for ENT doctor of the year!!