Kenny Saintes tested positive for COVID-19 on January 2,2021. On January 20, his condition worsened dramatically. Kenny and his wife, Bella, drove to Bayou Bend Health System, a 35-minute drive from Youngsville, where they live.

Dr. Roland Degeyter, an internal medicine physician with Bayou Bend Health System, was responsible for Kenny’s care. Kenny admits he was scared. “I was receiving oxygen through my nose, but I couldn’t catch my breath,” he says. “I had a fever as high as 103 degrees. My body ached. I felt like throwing in the towel. But the nurses and the staff kept me going. The nurses went overboard with their outreach and concern. My respiratory therapist, Blake Bergeron, brought coffee to Bella and motivated me to keep using my spirometer to exercise my lungs. And the expertise of Dr. Degeyter really helped.” 

By his third day in the hospital, Kenny started coming around. After 10 days, he was well enough to go home. Kenny’s experience at Bayou Bend Health System totally changed his perception of the hospital. “I grew up in Franklin, and people would tell me back then to avoid the hospital. But that’s not the way it is today. The care I received was absolutely Five Star! I really believe Dr. Degeyter and the medical staff at Bayou Bend Health System saved my life!”