Within seconds of finishing those words I was in a wheelchair headed to an emergency room suite. Things happened fast, but the net memories are of the EKG tech's face - a look of "that's not good!" and the ER doctor saying "Mr. Whyte, you're having a heart attack!"
He calmly explained nurses/techs were going to be rushing around doing testing/inserting, all with the goal of getting me to the cardiac cath lab as fast as possible (which I believe occurred in under 10 minutes). Almost immediately my interventional cardiologist, Dr. Freih, arrived at the door. Clearly I wasn't timing this operation, but it was obvious that everyone knew the goal and had practiced reaching it. The atmosphere was calm and efficient.
Dr Freih is a "don't worry, I got this" kind of guy, and his team in the cath lab knew the drill. The lab was calm and confident. I had a serious heart attack, 100 percent blockage of the LAD artery, unkindly called the widow maker. The before-and-after cath pictures were dramatically opposite, Dr. Freih seemed happy - thank you, sir, for that.
I was taken to ICU and cared for by professionally adept, supportive and friendly nurses. In addition to being technically competent, the nurses did what they said they were going to do. Kept me going - I like that. I spent two days there and surprisingly felt "normal" by the second day! My "resident RN" Susan made sure I was a good patient (not easy), asked all the right questions, communicated with family and kept me cheery.
Sue and I cannot say enough about the positive, professional care I received during my stay. To Beebe Healthcare, the doctors, nurses, and staff of the ER and ICU, and to Dr. Freih and his cath lab staff, I say thank you! We in the Lewes region are very fortunate to have top-quality care available at our local hospital.
Prior to walking into Beebe, I'd never spent a night in a hospital and never took any prescription meds. Now I've had two nights inpatient and take five medicines! I'm happy to say I can live with that.
Bob Whyte
Lewes
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