It Started with a Wave-Friendships Grow on The David F. Bolger Post-acute Care Unit

It all started with a simple wave.

A little over 1 ½ years ago, the husbands of Alexandra Spizziri and Antionette Ambrose were patients on The David F. Bolger Post-acute Care Unit (PACU) at the Christian Health. Mrs. Ambrose would often be visiting with her husband in the sun porch when Mrs. Spizziri arrived to see her spouse.

“I noticed that Toni was always in the sun porch when I came,” Mrs. Spizziri says. “We started waving at each other.”

Their waves eventually led to an introduction and a cup of coffee at de Snoep Winkel Gift Shop and Tea Room. Mrs. Ambrose, who enjoys cooking, started to bring home-cooked dinners for Mrs. Spizziri to take home.

“I like to cook, and she liked my food!” Mrs. Ambrose explains.

After their husbands were discharged, the friendship between the two women continued to grow. Mrs. Spizziri invited Mrs. Ambrose to a fashion show and to New York City for a taping of “The Chew,” a popular cooking-themed daytime talk show.

“Now Toni is teaching me how to cook Italian dishes,” Mrs. Spizziri says. “She’s a wonderful cook and a great teacher.”

“We talk all the time,” says Mrs. Ambrose, as the two women head off to lunch at a local deli. “If I don’t hear from her, I start to worry!”

Friendships developing among short-term rehab patients at Christian Health is not unusual, but friendships flourishing between spouses of rehab patients are unique.

“They truly have a special relationship,” says Teresa DeLellis, LSW, Social Work Director for the short-term rehab unit and long-term care. “They are so supportive of each other and genuinely enjoy one another’s company.”

The women both also share an appreciation of the PACU and its staff. For more information about short-term rehab at CHCC, call (201)-848-4463, email khockstein@chccnj.org, or visit ChristianHealthCare.org.