Stroke Of Luck For Rescue Helicopter Stroke Patient

A retired Hawke’s Bay farmer who was airlifted by the
Wallace Foundation Rescue Helicopter for emergency surgery
is counting his blessings reflecting on the stroke he
suffered only two weeks ago, calling it ‘a stroke of
luck’.

Havelock North retiree and local horseman
John Bridge cannot believe how lucky he was to have been in
the Hawke’s Bay Hospital Accident and Emergency Department
when his stroke struck.

“I remember waking up on
Monday morning to hives that had erupted in big itchy welts
all over my body. It was getting worse by the second so I
took myself into Peak Practise where I collapsed in the
waiting room. The wonderful staff recognised that I was
experiencing anaphylaxis from a new medication and
administered adrenalin.”

From there Mr Bridge was
ambulanced to A&E and administered another shot when his
symptoms returned. At that point Mr Bridge was exhibiting
signs of an impending stroke. Within minutes he had
experienced a major left sided stroke and was immediately
taken for a brain scan. As a result of having two shots of
adrenalin he was unable to be administered anti coagulant
therapy to stem the stroke so the decision was made with
Wellington’s Hospital Neurology team, to airlift him for
an endovascular clot retrieval
(thrombectomy).

Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter
Paramedic, Heath Gillot says the ability for clinicians and
emergency departments to eliminate any and all delays is
absolutely crucial in improving stoke patient
outcomes.

“In this case the medical staff clearly
identified the stroke, provided the immediate care and
relied on the ability of the rescue helicopter to very
quickly transport John to Wellington for definitive
treatment where he has made a great recovery and not been
left in a debilitating state due to his
stroke.”

Heath says the seventy minute flight to
Wellington saw John undergoing emergency surgery within a
critical three and a half hour timeframe.

“What
makes this such a success story is that it illustrates you
can still live in the provinces and receive world-class
medical treatment when you really need it. That’s what the
Wallace Foundation Rescue Helicopter provides; agility,
specialist care and speed when every second
counts.

“It is always incredibly fulfilling to know
that we have been able to play a part in saving someone’s
life and to give a family back their loved
one.”

John’s wife Jackie accompanied him on the
flight and recounts the harrowing ordeal.

“We’re
so grateful that Johnny happened to be in the best place
possible to have a stroke – in hospital, he could so
easily have been out of coverage at the farm or working
horses. Then to have the rescue helicopter and expertise of
their specialist crew available along with one of
Wellington’s best surgeons when he desperately needed it,
the stars really did align. It’s a miracle – we feel so
blessed it all worked out.”

Following successful
clot retrieval plus a carotid stent, John was transferred
back to Hawke’s Bay Hospital the very next day, where he
spent two days under observation. Mr Bridge has since
returned home with full function and aside from being unable
to drive for a month, has resumed his daily
activities.

“I’m feeling good, albeit not quite as
robust but that’s just time. I’m so grateful I’ve been
given a second chance thanks to the speed and skill of the
Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter crew. Bill, Heath, Wayne and
the Hospital Flight Team were outstanding, keeping me calm
and well informed throughout the flight.”

In an
ironic twist, Mr Bridge’s daughter Alisha Neilson works
for the Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust promoting the
service and writing patient articles.

“Never did I
anticipate I’d be writing a story so close to home,
watching Dad being loaded onto the heli that day and
witnessing firsthand the crew’s care, skill and
professionalism really reinforced to me why this service
means so much to our community.

“My family feel
incredibly indebted to the service, it was the lifeline we
so desperately needed. Ultimately, I still have my Dad
thanks to the crew that day.”

As for John, giving
back to the service is now deeply personal.

“I often
see the heli fly overhead and think I hope that’s no one I
know. I will have to get a few more lambs on that truck for
Heli Livestock!”

As the region’s primary
emergency and search and rescue air support, the Wallace
Foundation Rescue Helicopter averages around 400 callouts
per year and relies heavily on corporate partnership and
community donations to perform each and every lifesaving
mission.

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