About three weeks ago, my husband and I traveled to the Sherwood Inn. In the wee hours of Saturday morning, I awoke with shortness of breath. By the time the paramedics arrived (only a few minutes), I was gasping for air - and getting none.

I later learned that I had been in congestive heart failure - my lungs had filled with fluid and I was on a respirator.

The point of this story, however, is not about me. It is about the people who saved my life, the Skaneateles paramedics and Auburn Memorial Hospital ER personnel. Of course I am so grateful to them.

How do you thank people who saved your life other than saying “thank you?” But there is more to this story - the outstanding courtesy and care I was afforded by every single staff member.

I want the people of Auburn and the surrounding areas to know what an outstanding hospital Auburn Memorial is. I cannot thank them enough for saving my life, but I can and want to applaud them for being so remarkable in every aspect of my care - every individual went far and above what you would expect.

They were more than just efficient and doing their jobs. The cardiac team led by Dr. Rama Godishala was outstanding. My son, who is a pediatrician, was impressed with their expertise and professionalism. The medical care could not have been better. The nurses couldn't do enough for me, “Let me move that chair over so you'll be more comfortable.” “Could I warm that up a little for you?”

The kindness I was shown by every single nurse and aide was most commendable. They weren't just nice, they were super.

I loved hearing about their families and your community. I now know many more places to visit when we return, which at first I wasn't so sure I wanted to do, but now have decided I must and am looking forward to it.

Auburn will always be a special place dear to my heart - when a total stranger is made to feel like they are part of a family, it is a special occurrence - when you leave a hospital and feel you are leaving many friends, it is phenomenal!

So, to all the residents of Auburn and surrounding areas, you can be very proud of your community and more specifically, your outstanding doctors, nurses and staff at Auburn Memorial.

Mercita (CeCe) Black

West Seneca