On November 16, 2011 I awoke to a group of symptons most woman my age are all too aware of and never want to have... but denying them can kill you so I got myself down to Emergency. With my blood pressure through the roof and symptons of a STOKE I was MediVac'd to Prince Rupert for a CAT SCAN, echocardiogram and ultra sound of my neck arteries!
Within an hour of stablizing my blood pressure I was loaded into an surface ambulance and then an air ambulance for the one hour trip to the mainland and from there depended on what my tests disclosed.
Nothing devasting showed up on the tests so after a night in emergency because there were no beds in the hospital I was on my way home.
Leaving Prince Rupert.
Prince Rupert does not have a walk-in clinic so everything goes through the emergency room....it was a busy night.
Prince Rupert does not have a walk-in clinic so everything goes through the emergency room....it was a busy night.
I was expecting to stay an other night in Prince Rupert because of weather however they(the helicopter pilots) said there was a window of opportunity....I didn't see it!
Fog over Prince Rupert Airport(the planes were grounded!)
Heading out across the Hecate Strait in the fog.
Never let someone look at your camera if you don't want your picture taken!
I could at least smile as I was heading home with some things to work out but generally a clean bill of health.
(I also always travel with a camera in my hand or my pocket!)
The skies cleared but the seas where still pretty rough.
Finally the shores of home.
A welcome rainbow over Skidegate.
My ride!
In Canada we have universal health care. It varies a little from province to province but if you need care you get it. That trip there probably used up all my premiums to date and then some!
I am eternally grateful to the doctors, nurses and staff of Queen Charlotte and Prince Rupert General Hospitals and the EMTs and pilots of BC Ambulance Service for their care and compassion.
18 comments:
This is certainly not the way to get your flying photo ops. ;) So glad these services are available to you. Hope you are doing well.
Oh my goodness. I can't believe you took photos! Take care.
Wow, what a ride! I'm so so so glad you're okay ... And it looks like Mother Nature is happy too - giving you a rainbow like that!
I hope you are getting that BP in check - the voice of experience here says it's very important - I've survived a stroke (at age 48) and a heart attack (age 50) - so I know what I'm talking about!!!
Hah! Living on the Edge indeed! I was just thinking about you and your blog the other day, wondering why no posts for so long... lovely photos and you sure do go to great lengths to get them! Yes, aren't we fortunate for healthcare here.
Hope you're feeling better and on your way to full recovery. Take care of yourself. Best wishes from the Right Coast ;-)
Good grief woman! So glad all is well. And photos to boot!
In big cities we forget how complicated things like health care can be. Glad you are doing OK. We landed at Prince Rupert once flying home from Alaska. When we parked the plane we hit a large tire filled with cement that was supposed to be a tiedown point. It ripped our gear door off from our low winged plane. Had to get a mechanic to come over from the seaplane base in town to remove the rest of it and certify us to fly back to our home base to get it fixed. But it was an adventure too. - Margy
So glad you are okay. Take it easy though, I am sure there are other easier ways to get a helicopter ride.
That must have been a scary time. I'm so glad to hear that you now have an "extended warranty." You are a consummate blogger, Carolyn, to have a camera with you at such a time. But it did come in handy to document your experience!
The rainbow is a good omen, indeed.
Add to the other comments my astonishment that you carried your camera and the auspiciousness of the welcome-home rainbow!
Yes, here in the States there are those fighting universal healthcare tooth and nail. Idiots!
Glad to hear you are alright!
Phew! Glad to see you are alright! Take it easy and best wishes on your recovery.
Hope everything is alright Carolyn. I have high BP too and try to take my meds regularly.
Take care,
Karin Gagne
PS We are visiting Erica and Josh again in August or September to see our new grandbaby!
So glad you are well enough to peer out the window on the flight home!!Continue to improve!!! Thank God for universal health care!!!
My goodness Carolyn, you're a dedicated photo blogger indeed to be snapping away on such a journey! So pleased to hear things weren't as dreadfully serious as you first thought.
Hurrah for universal healthcare. It always makes me giggle when I read it described as 'socialist'. Try 'humane'.
oh my goodness, that was quite an adventure. I am so glad that you are fine! Take good care. love that a rainbow welcomed you home!
You had quite a fright but also excellent care. Your blog came to mind when I heard of the 7.7 earthquake on Saturday that I assume is around your coastal area. Hope you are well.
Wow, so good to hear you're alright! Incredible photos...I can't even remember to take my camera when I go for a simple walk, haha!
I hope all medical issues clear up quickly...take good care! xx
wow that was quite and adventure, hope you are on the mend and can find other ways to find amazing photo opportunities
You poor thing. Take good care! I have missed you!
Cheers from Cottage Country!
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