I was very loath to submit a letter, relative to my recent experience in the USA, but, after learning of the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Keith Sitahal on Harris Promenade in San Fernando, I am constrained to do so now.
Around 2 am on October 23, while in Fort Lauderdale, I awoke with an urge for the bathroom but found myself unable to move my right arm and right leg and unable to speak. STROKE!!!
Rousing my wife with my left hand, she became aware of my predicament and awakened our hostess, my relative and apprised her of the situation. She in turn called 911 and informed them of my condition and of the address.
In less than five minutes an ambulance arrived and I was placed on board where the highly efficient paramedics hooked me up to apparatus. They soon informed me that my blood sugar level was extremely low and therein my problem. They administered the appropriate medication and, in very short shrift, movement of my limbs and my speech returned. They informed me that a condition mimicking a stroke often appeared in low blood sugar cases. All of this transpired in only a few minutes.
When we arrived at the Florida Medical Center, I was immediately taken to the ER to be surrounded by several concerned staff members; warded and given many tests, including a brain scan. The staff operated in a most caring and professional manner.
After five hours of constant observation and they were satisfied that my system had returned to normalcy, I was discharged with written instructions for the future.
I wonder if this problem had befallen me in T&T would there have been such speedy response and effective treatment available to save me from demise? Will we in T&T ever achieve such high standards?
Manny Joseph
Via email