Dear Mikayla Foreman and others — you are an angel sitting in God’s arms. You have faced more obstacles and made it this far — don’t give up, you’re almost there!

I have mental illness, a disabled nurse at the age of 45. I loved my career, but the emotional toll it took on me almost destroyed my life. The best hospital I worked at was Marshalltown’s old hospital. They didn’t need the union.

I was proud to work there — the night shift alongside Mary Bartine — the only supervisor in my life who helped me, with my busy morning chores on the Skilled Unit and night duties in the best ICU I ever had the chance to work at. How did the hospital do it?

Now there are so many supervisors, directors, CEO’s, there’s no room for nurses. Guess what — hospitals are falling apart without them and healthcare is on the verge of collapse.

We have many resources in Marshalltown to help our homelessness and mentally ill. As a large county of villages with many people who want to help, let’s fix up the old hospital for the homeless and behavior health center like the hospital Finley in Dubuque.

I attempted suicide Aug. 9, 2025. The UnityPoint EMTs saved me as I fought them. It was night shift and I came awake hearing Dr. VanGundy’s voice talking to me. I swear Mary Bartine was by my side! He healed me and sent me on the Finley where I learned to live again. It was a hospital for behavior, help for those non-combative. There we had activities all day — exercises and meals that were delicious.

It’s a shame to waste a hospital that has a big kitchen, food line, dining room, beds. Can we do it?

We have good samaritans in Marshall and Tama counties that are just waiting to help. Mary’s Home in honor of Mary Bartine!

I can’t do much, but beg God and Jesus for help, saying my Rosary and ask God to take the heavy cross off the shoulders of those in need.

In Iowa, the unborn have more rights than he born. They are prayed for more often. Lets form a human chain up and down Center Street in the cold without breakfast and see if it matters. The need is emergent — it is cold out! We don’t even leave our pets out!