I had a hysterectomy performed by Serina E. Floyd, MD, MPH, at Duke's Women Health Associates on Aug. 8, 2008. I was cleared with a clean bill of health at my six-week checkup.

Jennifer Smith

A few weeks later, I developed a sudden onset of abdominal pain while shopping. I tried to treat myself for a couple of days because I thought I had a kidney stone. I finally went to a hospital that was close to my home.

After doing a non-contrast CT scan, they told me I did not have a kidney stone. However, I did have a lot of inflammation in my abdomen, and my white blood count was 16,000. The ER doctor requested that I follow up the next morning with my OB-GYN.

Anne C. Ford, MD

My physician was out of town, so I saw Anne C. Ford, MD, at Duke's Women Health Associates. She told me that I had developed an abscess around my surgical site. She encouraged me to go to the hospital, but I refused and told her that I wanted to try to treat it with antibiotics first.

I followed up with Dr. Floyd a couple of days later so she could evaluate my situation. Upon her assessment, Dr. Floyd advised me that I would need to go to the hospital. She was very insistent that I listen to her. I agreed and was admitted to the 6th floor.

Serina E. Floyd, MD, MPH

Dr. Floyd ordered a CT with contrast. She wanted to compare the abscess with my original CT from another hospital to determine if it had decreased in size. When the results from the CT scan were read, it was determined that I also had a thrombus (clot) in my abdomen. This was a big surprise to the doctors -- and to me. It was also a big scare for me.

This could have been a very serious situation if the clot would have moved. I am thankful for all of the doctors that treated me. I am also thankful that Dr. Floyd convinced me to go to the hospital. I feel that Duke saved my life, since another hospital did not catch this a few days earlier.

I received wonderful care on the 6th floor. I was very scared, but I had a wonderful staff that made a bad situation better. I am now being treated by Duke Hemotology several times a month.

I have been treated so nicely by everyone. Dr. Floyd has been so wonderful about checking on me during this process. I am thankful that your facility has wonderful employees that treat you with the best of care. I am very grateful for everything that Duke did to find out what was going on with me before it was too late.