“You are having a heart attack.” I was shocked when I heard the emergency doctor’s diagnosis as I lay hooked up to an electrocardiogram machine.
I later learned that about 3,000 people each year receive cardiac care in the Emergency Department at the North Bay Regional Health Centre. To provide adequate service for that number and to equip the R.A.C.E. Team (Rapid Assessment of Critical Events Team) that attends to hospital wide cardiac events the hospital requires seven EKG machines. At present the Hospital has funding for four. The community needs $80,000 to acquire the remaining machines. It will take donations from individuals like you to make these purchases possible.
My traumatic experience began in the early morning hours of January 24, 2009, with tightness in my chest. The tightness persisted throughout my normal morning routine. Later in the afternoon, while I was at the theatre with my husband, I began to feel pain in my left arm. When we got home we checked my blood pressure. Very high!
Recognizing the need for help, we rushed to the emergency department. Within minutes the ER triage nurse recognized the symptoms of a heart attack. I was quickly wired for close cardiac monitoring and urgent diagnostic tests were carried out, including specific blood work, x-ray and several repeated EKG tests. After receiving a clot busting drug I was transferred to the critical care unit.
I am profoundly thankful for the wonderful cardiac care provided by North Bay and District Hospital. As a wife, mother and grandmother of a very grateful family - I encourage you to make one of your gifts this holiday season a donation toward the acquisition of EKG machines. This will ensure that advanced cardiac care is available to heart patients in our community.
Anne Bell
Retired Canadore College Professor, Social Science Department