“The Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) saved my life…”
David and his wife Kendra, live an active life. They were playing in a co-ed volleyball tournament when David jumped up to strike the ball. When he came back down, he sprained his ankle.
Imaging showed a bone chip in his ankle and David made his way around on crutches with his foot in an air cast until it healed. He had pain in his calf, but he figured it was a muscle cramp from the change in his physical activity.
On the evening of April 23, Kendra found David unconscious on their kitchen floor. She said he “looked like something from a horror show,” with his tongue out and eyes rolled back. Kendra ran to call 911 and paramedics transported David quickly to the BCHS.
A blood clot in his leg resulted in a pulmonary embolism – a blockage in one of the arteries in his lungs – that caused him to stop breathing. David was resuscitated three times while in the ambulance and in the BCHS Emergency Room.
David is a BCHS Grateful Patient…
Within three hours, David was placed in a medically induced coma and moved to the Critical Care Unit (CCU) where he spent nine days. Though he doesn’t remember much, his family speaks about the incredible care he received under internist Dr. Abayomi Ajayi and anesthesiologist Dr. Brenda Reeve.
During this time, Kendra said everyone took such good, professional care of her husband. “There are so many great things to say,” said Kendra. “They were amazing.”
Kendra also noted the exemplary care of CCU nurse, Lisa, who monitored him closely his first night there. “I have never met anyone more focused,” said Kendra. “I was able to relax and get some sleep because she was so focused on his care.”
David’s oxygen levels were still not very good in the first days of his care, so medical staff cooled his body, directing his blood circulation to his vital organs.
Since his brain had been deprived of oxygen when the embolism occurred, it was suspected there was some damage. David was also placed under paralysis to stop his body from tremors. His limbs had been thrashing in seizure-like movements due to over-stimulation of his brain.
“All the medical professionals up on the Critical Care Unit were great,” David said.
“I am so grateful for all the care I have received…”
O
n May 2, David was discharged to the care of a neurologist, who diagnosed him with Lance-Adams Syndrome. This is a rare complication of successful CPR. As a result, David continues to experience involuntary muscle movements. He was prescribed anti-seizure medications and enrolled in an eight week acquired brain injury program to retrain his brain.
“It was a huge day when he could stand up from a wheelchair,” said Kendra. “He was super, super lucky that he could walk out of the unit.”
David returned to the BCHS for further rehabilitation including occupational therapy and physiotherapy. He works on balance, strengthening and coordination activities with his therapists.
“I am so grateful for all the care I have received,” he said. “Everyone has been so professional, kind and compassionate. I couldn’t ask for better.”
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Photo 1: BCHS Grateful Patient David & Kendra Nash with baby Gregory & Lisa Campbell, CCU RN