Cardiac patient inspired to pay it forward
Beverley and John Carl of Vancouver have made the first-ever donation of $10,000 towards nurse practitioner education. The British Columbia Nurse Practitioner Association recently held its 10th anniversary conference where they presented the award. Beverley, along with her husband John, has been attending the Cardiac Function Clinic at the Diamond Health Centre for treatment of her heart failure.
The donation came as a complete surprise to Leah Christoff and Nola Wurtele, nurse practitioners who have been integral to Beverley’s care for the past three years.
The following is an edited version of Beverley’s letter describing the care she received after her massive heart attack:
“The Life Support Ambulance quickly transported me to VGH by-passing the ER and direct to the Cath Lab where a stent was appropriately placed. While in the Cardiac Care Unit, I was seen by a rotation of outstanding cardiologists–familiar names at VGH: Bennett, Tang, Jue, Virani. There were complications; I had pneumonia making my hospitalization lasting fourteen days. The prognosis: my heart function was at 20%–as I see it– the glass is one-third full!
Upon my discharge, I was told my recovery would be monitored by the Heart Function Clinic on the 7th Floor of the Diamond Centre. Arriving for my first appointment and, wondering who would be the cardiologist, John and I were introduced to a Nurse Practitioner. No cardiologist–a Nurse Practitioner!
‘John, a Nurse Practitioner, what do you think?’
‘Well’, he replied, ‘she’s young and very attractive!’
Now, our education began. It soon became apparent that, as a Nurse Practitioner, she had the ability and skills to perform far beyond reading my blood pressure and assessing my lung fluid. While being concerned with my heart performance, she always addressed all my health concerns–and there were many–medication reactions, anxiety attacks, respiratory issues, potassium deficiency, and fall causing a fractured vertebrae. Every issue was addressed in an appropriate and efficient manner; whether it be to instigate a diagnosis procedure or apply a basic nursing technique.
An emergency visit to the Clinic, when my Nurse Practitioner was not available (did you note the possessive pronoun?) “my” Nurse Practitioner was not available, her colleague assessed my blood pressure to be dangerously low and made the decision to put me in a wheelchair and personally push me from the Diamond Centre to the ER. I was given immediate attention and welcomed back to the Cardiac Care Unit for a few
days.
Leah, I cannot adequately express my gratitude for your care and support over the past three years. And, Nola, you surely saved my life. Thank you both.”