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February 1, 2013

When surgery can’t wait

The Chronicle

Pella — Pella Regional Health Center can add “get me to the church on time” to its list of medical services. At least that’s the experience for recent groom Nathen Deppe of Kellogg who married Pella native Jenna DeJong on Sat., Nov. 17 at Third Reformed Church in Pella.

Deppe experienced stomach pain on Friday during rehearsal but considered it nerves. The pain became progressively worse during the night so he drove himself at 4 a.m. to the Emergency Department at Pella Regional where Dr. Matt Doty assessed acute appendicitis.

When Deppe explained that it was his wedding day, Dr. Doty set plans in motion to assure the best medical care and to meet the groom’s desire to walk down the aisle that afternoon.  Dr. Doty contacted surgeon Timothy Breon in Oskaloosa, who performed the emergency appendectomy at 9 a.m.

“Everyone worked together to help this patient get to his wedding,” said Dr. Breon. “Fortunately everything fell into place, and it was special to know that we could help him.”

Following surgery and recovery, Drs. Breon and Doty assured Deppe and his family that they would do all they could medically for his timely discharge, providing he made continued improvement.  As the bride and wedding party readied for the 4:30 p.m. ceremony, Deppe received expert and expedient care from R.N. Jodi Wilson who commented that his was one of the fastest in (patient) and out (patient) processes she’d been a part of.

Once he’d received the necessary IV fluids, antibiotics and pain medications, Deppe carefully switched from hospital gown to tuxedo, documented by local photographer Jeff Bokhoven of Designer Images, who also said this form of wedding photography was new for his business.  Deppe’s parents drove the groom to the church where he arrived just one-half hour before the unknowing guests.

Thanks to the compassionate and timely care from the ER, OR and floor staff at Pella Regional, the ceremony was a beautiful celebration and demonstration of Nathen’s commitment to Jenna.  “I just can’t say enough about the care and concern I received from Dr. Doty, Dr. Breon, Jodi, and all of the other great staff at the Pella hospital,” Deppe said.  “They really made our big day possible with their quick decisions, compassion and expertise. We are very, very grateful to everyone at Pella Regional who helped us on our wedding day.”

 

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