Anna Melara thankful for fast diagnosis of cardiac condition

………………………………..

An inability to breathe properly can be a frightening experience, so when Anna Melara struggled with her breathing and experienced excessive sweating and an upset stomach late one night, she didn’t waste any time calling an ambulance to bring her to the Emergency Department at the Brantford General.

Grateful Patient Anna Melara — From left: RPN Penny Woods, Dr. Ghias Butt and grateful patient Anna Melara.

In transit to the hospital, the paramedics were able to give her oxygen to relieve the immediate stress, but when she arrived at the Emergency Department, Anna was triaged and sent to Zone 1 – the area for most urgent cases.

Staff in the Emergency Department administered several tests, making regular checks of Anna’s heart rate and blood pressure and continued oxygen treatment. Her heart rate was 171 beats per minute when she arrived at the hospital – much higher than the normal resting heart rate for an adult even when considering age and physical condition.

After testing was complete Anna was admitted to a room on C5 equipped with cardiac monitors to keep a close eye on her heart rate and blood pressure.

“I couldn’t get out of bed,” said Anna, explaining the monitors restricted her movements. She was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, a condition where fluid builds up in the lung since the heart can’t pump effectively. She was also diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that can lead to other medical complications.

Though she was concerned about her condition, Anna said the doctors – Dr. Kaplan Kugathasan and Dr. Elizabeth Bellamy – both reassured her she would be well taken care of.

And that turned out to be the case.

With an accurate diagnosis, treatment began right away and Anna quickly began to feel better. Medications were administered intravenously, which resulted in a normalized heart rate and easier breathing.

Unfortunately, several days into her hospital stay, Anna began vomiting and her heart rate fell dramatically.

There was an immediate response from the medical staff, including those in the Critical Care Unit nearby.

“The nurses were really good, but I was so scared,” said Anna.

Anna’s niece Barbara Melara said doctors explained the sudden extreme drop in Anna’s heart rate was caused by a change of medications. Anna’s medication was reviewed and her treatment plan continued.

Friends and family often visited as Anna recuperated. She said she didn’t go one day of her 12-day stay without a visitor and she had fellow patients in her room to talk to at other times.

“Everybody was friendly,” said Anna, who said she saw many different staff during her stay – from those who keep the hospital clean and safe, to volunteers, hospitalists, specialists and nursing staff.

When Dr. Bellamy discharged Anna, she was ready to go home and get back to her usual routine.

At 87, Anna said she realizes that there are no warning signs for when her irregular heartbeat may come on, so she knows she has to stay active to prevent it from happening again.

“I am feeling much better now than before,” she said. “I used to always feel tired and I had stomach problems.”

However, after her stay at the Brantford General, Anna now understands what foods affect her stomach and how much activity she needs to do at her local gym to keep herself in better shape.

As Anna has learned first-hand, when crisis or illness impacts you or a loved one, the Brant Community Healthcare System is here to offer you exceptional healthcare in your time of need.

Now is the time to make a difference, please consider making a gift today that is meaningful to you, and support a strong healthcare system for our community.

Your involvement, through a donation of any size, will allow the BCHS Foundation to purchase patient equipment not funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, provide essential resources to maintain the exceptional level of compassionate patient care, and invest in new and innovative technology.

To make a donation, visit the BCHS Foundation website at bchsysfoundation.org or call 519-751-5510.

To make a secure donation online, click here:

[maxbutton id=”12″]

For more information on how you can make a donation or offer your support to the 12 Days of Giving campaign, please contact the BCHS Foundation at 519-751-5510 or by email at foundation@bchsys.org

NOW is the time to make a difference, please consider making a gift today that is meaningful to you, and support a strong healthcare system for our community.

Thank you to our many generous sponsors!

COMMUNITY PARTNER:

SUPPORTING SPONSOR:

Please support the Brant Community Healthcare System Foundation

When crisis or illness impacts you or a loved one, the BCHS is here for you in your time of need.

Your gift today could help save a life tomorrow.