Gold Cross, Mayo Clinic’s ALS ambulance service, has been donating used ambulances to global communities since 2000. Read more about how one man’s outreach to Mayo resulted in the gift of life for his community in Guinea, Africa.
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Paramedics and EMTs put the CARE in mobile healthcare, and often form special bonds with their patients. The following was sent to Cataldo Ambulance Service by the adult child of a patient.*
A few weeks back, my mom needed transport from Lahey Hospital in Burlington to my sister’s home in Billerica. Though not there yet, hospice care is in her near future. It’s hard for any family to face such trying times. We were worried about getting Mom up the stairs. It’s almost impossible for her to navigate even a few. The transport was done that night by Steve and Brandon on Malden Ambulance #61. They chaired her up the stairs and into the house with patience, care and compassion. Their professionalism and kindness were remarkable. Even more remarkable was the transition from stretcher to stair chair. When Steve and Brandon assisted Mom to her feet, she said “I guess we are going to dance.” One of the boys said, “Hold on a second,” and cued up a Frank Sinatra song on his phone. And for about 20 seconds, they danced. It will likely be the last time my Mom ever dances. It was beautiful. Steve and Brandon are incredible examples of how human beings are supposed to treat each other. I am eternally grateful for their efforts.
* Lightly edited for clarity.
Ambulance services are proud to provide mobile healthcare to community members at all stages of life, including hospice care.
The following memory, reprinted as written, was read at a memorial service by the adult child of a MetroWest Ambulance patient.
I didn’t recall if you remember our story told about the ambulance transfer company that came to transfer Dad from the OHSU hospital to the Hospice Care Center in Longview. I thought it one that has some importance to know. I did not include it in my own letter contribution but I think it’s a story that is so good to know. I don’t know if mention of this can be made or not in the body of the service somewhere, but it is quite a touching story, especially in realizing our care for Dad was terminated and there was nothing more we could do for him …… that I hesitantly asked the ambulance attendants the possibility of having the transport vehicle go on Highway 30 instead ofl-5. That Dad had continually said he wanted to go home, and it had been several years since he had had that opportunity to be there, but always was asking to go. I told them of Dad’s age, and his time spent in this town, and how much it would mean to let Dad be able to go home, something he had always wanted, and our knowing this would be his last chance doing so and his last ride through Rainier, something he had not had opportunity to do for so many years. The ambulance attendants replied, “of course”. I told them that my Mom would be waiting with a family member down at the Rainier Chevron gas station along the highway and in the dark that night would be waving to Lyle as they passed and went by, because it was important to us for her to see him come back home too, something she had also wished for. The ambulance attendant then added, “we’ll do better than that, we’ll stop with him there and take him out so he can see her”. I couldn’t believe this was about to happen. We kept it a secret from Mom. In devotion, my daughter drove she and I behind and followed the ambulance when it left OHSU on its trip to Longview, at St Helens we hear a honk alongside us and my brother and his wife joined in behind us following the procession. We entered Rainier and in passing the Welcome sign I yelled out, welcome home Dad, with tears. We arrived to the Chevron intersection, and there she was along the highway in the dark, ready to put her hand up to greet his passing by. Some of their children who could be there came to witness this ultimate gift to Dad and to Mom. Her surprise when they stopped. We took a family picture with the Chevron gas station behind us. It is where Mom and Dad always stopped to buy a com dog for their very loved pet Whiskers after they had taken him for his daily walk. Dad had finally gotten to go home, in his and our own ways.
The story was accompanied by a hand-written note from the patient’s family, as well as a signed funeral card.
Our hearts are with this very special family.
Paramedics and EMTs are not “ambulance drivers,” but skilled paramedicine practioners. This photo, courtesy of Arizona Ambulance Transport, showcases just some of the high-tech tools they use to care for a seriously ill patient while providing mobile healthcare between facilities.
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