Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Monday 15 October 2012

Air Ambulance,Cardiac surgery, and more

 

Air Ambulance NZ Healthy heart angiogram

Photos courtesy of the Internet.

Last Tuesday morning my life changed in a flash. Hugh had a heart attack, at home, sitting in the  room where I do my quilting and blogging. A phone call to the emergency service, in NZ we dial “ 111”,  and are asked if we want “ Fire, Ambulance or Police??”  ,      they were here so quickly, and he was taken to Wanganui Hospital. X-Rays, blood tests,  admission to a medical ward  then a transfer to Critical Care Unit through the night. Much consultation between doctors, many  phone calls, and he was flown by the Fixed wing Air Ambulance to Wellington Hospital for cardiac surgery. All is well, he is home, and we adjust to life on a different scale.

I am the chief driver, well  ,the  only driver for 2 weeks,( there will be lots of supervision from the passenger!!!) and there are other restrictions in place.  I am so very grateful to all the staff, both medical and non-medical in both hospitals,  the lovely man  on the phone switchboard, Dr  Chad Saunders  who is here in NZ for a while,  he is from Lafayette. yes KB, not far from your place, the rest of his team,  the surgeons and all others in the theatre at  Wellington, who no doubt do these procedures  many,  many times, but for us, this was a first.A special thanks must go to the staff and Doctors at Wanganui Hospital in the Emergency Department,  who cared for Hugh, and also for me so well,they made sure I was looked after, told of everything that was happening, would be done, and why. A cup of coffee,  a chair for me right by Hugh’s bed,was there anyone they could  phone for me,no doubt everyday for them, but  their care and thoughtfulness was so appreciated, needed, and accepted .

Our family  came , long distances for them both,  and I am so thankful for their love and support, and for being here with their “Mum”,   taking  me to Wellington, and much more, and  I wondered how do others who are  totally alone cope  at times like this.My thoughts go to all those who do not have such a good outcome,and carry on through life without their man.My eyes look at each day with  different lenses .Coloured with thankfulness and clouded with tears.

Here is Hugh on the walkway, on the way to the Blyth Hut, a few years ago.

On the way to Blyth Hut

Quotation of the day,  an excerpt   from B  Alan Wallace

“ Life is a flash of lightning in the dark of night”

Greetings from Jean

24 comments:

Leanne said...

Wonderful to read of all the excellent care. Very pleased to read Hugh is home.
Lots of love Leanne ((HUGS))

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Oh my gosh, I am glad to hear that Hugh is home and recuperating.

Our lives can and do change in an instant.

Love and hugs to you both,

FlowerLady Lorraine

Gayle said...

Oh dear. I am so grateful that Hugh was able to get prompt and good medical care. Life is so fragile. Maybe you soon be back to your adventures and Hugh with a stronger than ever heart! {{hugs}}

Susan Heather said...

So glad it all ended well and that you had such good care from the "health system". Good wishes to you both from the north.

Ali Honey said...

Jean I am so glad Wanganui Hospital treated you well.
That has not always been the case with my parents.
I am glad to say it treated me very well back in the 1970s when I had 2 babies there.
Wishing Hugh an event free recovery and you lots of patience as chief carer.
Hugs from windy BOP.

Kathy said...

Praying for you all as things you don't expect can take a toll on you as I understand that completely. Praying for healing, peace and comfort and many years of happiness.

Here I Am Carrie said...

Oh what a rough time you have just had. Sending lots of prayers that Hugh continues to recover and is even stronger. Sending lots of hugs for you..

Jenny said...

Such a shock to you both, and I am just so pleased that the outcome is so positive. Do take care - of your beloved Hugh, and of yourself too. This is stressful for both of you.

AS a surgeon told me a couple of years ago when I was in for an emergency detached retina op, "We take eyes and hearts very seriously". Looks like you have had the best of hospital care and no doubt with much follow up care to come.

Nancy J said...

Thank you all so much for your caring words,everything happened so quickly, no time to think about what if???Hugh was looked after so well, the angiogram and stent surgery was classed as "Difficult procedure" in the report, and took longer than the surgeon thought at the beginning.So I have been reading your blogs, not putting in any comments, until I was so sure this was going to be OK.Wonderful to be back,and thank you my dear friends from near and far,your sharing and caring , loving words,prayers and hugs mean so much, With many fond greetings from Jean. p.s. ....
I have lost all my email addresses, please send me an email so I can update them on the new hard drive, and then email my thanks once more.

Allie said...

Oh my dear - how very glad I am that he had such good care, and such a good outcome. Big big hugs to you - and prayers for full recovery!

KB said...

Oh my goodness. I am so glad that you got such rapid help and that Hugh is okay. Indeed, I know what incredible care you'll take of him, and he's a lucky man. I am sending you all of my most warm and positive thoughts. I can only imagine how scary it was but it sounds like both of you handled it with flying colors. Thinking of you...

Hugs from all of us.

Dream Valley Ranch said...

Oh Jean-and Hugh! I am so relieved to hear that all is okay now but how frightening! KB let me know what had happened and I just wanted to send a monster hug! I hope Hugh realizes how lucky he is to have you there to help him recover!

Sending lots and lots of love and hugs and good thoughts!
Xoxoxoxo
Sue

Barb said...

Hello Nancy, so glad that Hugh got prompt medical care. I had a heart attack and subsequent stent in Jan 2010. I have very little heart damage, but the emotional consequence took awhile to overcome. Good Luck to you both.

Nancy J said...

Hi Allie, KB, Sue and Barb, thanks to you all,for your loving thoughts, and so much more, and for passing on the news. I will email each, tomorrow, run out of steam and time today, but as you all have had sorrow ,grief and loss, your messages,love and all else do mean so very much and now I am on the receiving end, can truly say how much.For the first time I have tears, and they must be of thanks,relief, and the knowing that my blog friends care so very much.My fondest greetings to everyone, Jean.

Jenny K. Lyon said...

So glad that there is a good ending and that you BOTH received excellent care! Your attitude is so full of energy and positive-you are blessed to have each other

Lindsjö taxar said...

Ohh ...gosh....glad it turned out so well with good treatment immediately. Yes its very importaant to get under the right treatment very quickly.

Take care both of you and I send warm hugs to you

Michaele said...

Oh my goodness! You never know!! I am so glad this had a positive outcome and that you had so much support. Be well.

Nancy J said...

Thanks so much Jenny,Lindjso and Michaele, now I know why I have been doing more outside than in for some months, maybe since April.No wonder the 2012 FMQ challenge blocks are not finished, well, not some are not even started .Today I had a LESSON in using the ride-on mower.!!! No doubt more to come, the dreaded weed-eater might be next.Your words mean so much, I say thanks truly from my heart. Greetings from Jean.

Julie Fukuda said...

And, may he be a good boy and listen to the doctor's orders. Glad you could get the needed help and support. it must have been a scary time.

Georgia said...

Nancy, just got my internet hooked up today and have been checking up on my friends. So thankful you can report positive outcomes. Keep us updated. Praying for you and Hugh.

Nicky said...

Sending all positive thoughts and good wishes to you and Hugh. Wonderful to hear that Hugh is recovering well........
Love Nicky x

Nancy J said...

Hi Julie,Jyojia and Nicky, yes Julie, he is doing only what allowed; Jyojia, ta for prayers and words, they are such a help to me, and Nicky, your wishes from the far south come up with our wind today., I'm sure he will be OK.My many thanks, Greetings form Jean

Tanya said...

Oh my! I'm so glad that this post has a happy conclusion! Yes, we never know how life is going to change in a moment do we... I have a feeling that many of us, at about this age, worry about when something like this might happen to our husband (or ourselves). Thank goodness you were there, knew what to do and have people around you that can help.

Nancy J said...

Thanks Tanya, yes the public health system has been wonderful this last week, everything was arranged and done so quickly, I wondered if everyone would get this care done so fast, or was it because Hugh really needed it so much. A happy ending, our GP made it very clear we are so lucky it was that. I hope in your country you get the same care if ever needed. ( and hope you do not need the treatment Hugh had) Greetings from Jean.