To the editor:
On Dec. 4 of last year, I fell through an opening in the floor of our house and landed on rocky boulders in our sub-basement. I don’t remember any of the fall or the three following weeks, but my husband has given me the details. I kept asking for them over and over, trying to piece together what had happened to me.
This is what I learned. When he called 911, he got a very quick response from the South Bristol Fire Department volunteers. Then came the Central Lincoln County Ambulance crew. I don’t know specifically what each person contributed, but I do know that extracting me from that sub-basement was a very difficult job.
Once I arrived at the Miles emergency room, I received immediate attention. I believe it was the doctor there who made the diagnosis of traumatic brain injury. LifeFlight of Maine was called and its helicopter brought me from Miles to Portland’s Maine Med facility. Once there, several doctors and nurses were immediately ready to treat me.
Several weeks later, after I came home, and this I remember, Miles Home Health people assisted me at home as I learned what needed to be done to assure my recovery. A Miles physical therapist became an invaluable counselor.
For several months I told myself, and others told me, how very lucky I was. But that was totally inaccurate. I am writing this because I am hoping all those individuals I’ve mentioned here are reading it. I am writing this because I truly believe they saved my life. Words cannot possibly express the gratitude I feel toward this team of people.
When I fell, I was 76 years old. About a month later, I turned 77. Next month I’ll be turning 78. How could I ever forget how these people made it possible for me to reach this lofty age? For the rest of my life, I will be thanking them and hoping that they know how grateful I will always be.
Emily MacKenzie
Rutherford Island, South Bristol
