May 20-26 being National Emergency Medical Services week means it’s high time I put pen to paper to say, “You saved my husband’s life back in late October 2009.”

After spending three long days as a surgical outpatient for face cancer, Friday night into early Saturday morning turned strange for Bob. I dialed 911. The operator asked, “Did the doctor say?” I answered yes. After all I’d phoned the dermatologist before making the 911 call. I’d barely made it out of my bed clothes before the driveway seemed full of men and vehicles with flashing lights.

They spoke to the sick man in bed. Raised the collapsible chair, easing him upon it, when he lost consciousness. The EMS men carried him to the floor of the living room (the furniture being moved back for his coming) where they checked neck and wrist pulse, looked at me and asked, “Should we revive him?” (They had just talked to the man). Blood was coming from his mouth. Later we found three ulcers had erupted in the esophagus.

He was taken to the Albert Lea hospital and stabilized. Our daughter arrived at St. Marys, Rochester, from Cannon Falls, before Mayo One landed. They’d used seven units of blood.

Bob’s one and only helicopter ride, and he can’t remember it!

Three and a half days later he’s home again. Today at 83 years of age he still enjoys his purebred hogs, three horses (one for riding) and barn cats. Life is good even when the eyes, ears and joints aren’t what they used to be.

How I even knew to phone the doctor and 911, I’ll never know, but without the EMS quick response and training, the esophageal varices would be fatal.

Thanks to that room full of men (the only one I remember was our county sheriff) all doing their best; we’re still at home on the farm doing our darnedest to be productive citizens.

I do not know which first responders unit came Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009. To you we say thanks, your volunteer time can never be fully valued. Got protect and bless you.

P.S. I got a new carpet after using the old for 40 years.

 

Delores Bryson

Alden