Photo courtesy of Botetourt TCWC
A recent adventure turned into a medical emergency for a local club member, Sandy Pauley, when a long-haul flight from Cape Town South Africa led to a medical emergency when a blood clot in her leg went to her lung.
Sandy collapsed on the jet way after landing at the Washington airport. Thanks to the quick actions of a physician assistant (PA) and a nurse who happened to be on the same flight Sandy received life-saving CPR. Richard Pauley said, “If it had happened over the Atlantic, we’d be having a different outcome.” Sandy went into cardiac arrest, which is not the same thing as heart attack Richard Pauley explained. CPR revived Sandy’s heart and medicines dissolved the blood clot and have prevented any more from forming
A machine continued CPR in the ambulance on the way to a Level 1 Trauma Hospital in Reston VA. Sandy was in the Reston hospital for 38 days and was able to come home on November 25th. BTCWC members visited Sandy—who is continuing to recover at home—with cheerful caroling and many hugs. The BTCWC members went on to continue caroling at the homes of Donna Henderson, Pat Honts and Toby Wells bringing joy and a festive spirit to each one.
~ Fincastle Herald staff report
