Editor:
Further to the Letter to the Editor in the Dec. 8 edition, titled “Critical stroke care need,” I don’t profess to know about what is needed or not needed in the area of stroke care. All we can do is share our personal experience. We live just west of Middle Point in Madeira Park. On Nov. 21, my wife suffered a stroke. After calling 911 the ambulance arrived within about 15 minutes. She was transported by ambulance to the Sechelt Hospital and ran through what I understand to be the heart and stroke protocol.
A CT scan done that night showed a blocked carotid artery, and after consultation with a heart and stroke specialist in Vancouver, it was decided surgery was required. Coordinating with the Vancouver General Hospital and Ambulance Services, she was transported on Friday, Nov. 24. On Sunday she was operated on and on Wednesday was back home with no after effects.
I know there are lots of criticisms about our health care system. But our experience on this occasion has shown that my wife received excellent care. We live in a great country and feel very fortunate to be a part of it and be able to have excellent health care when it was urgently needed.
Larry and Vicki Honeybourne, Madeira Park
