Letter: Tourist thankful for care received in Tahoe
To the community,
On June 20, I fell at the Emerald Point Lookout and tourists (two or three families) assisted me by stopping the bleeding to a head wound I had and called the ambulance.
With the arrival of the South Lake Tahoe ambulance, came a team of great EMTs. They secured my safety (with my purse in the ambulance with me) and transported me to the Barton Hospital.
Every nurse, doctor, and emergency worker made me safe and saved my life. After a CAT Scan, it was determined that I had a brain bleed. Immediately, they arranged for me to be transported by air flight to Reno.
The rest of my life I owe to each healthcare worker in your area and the special tourists visiting your area that came to my aid.
I am now home in Texas and will add value to the world for the time that was given to me.
Martha E. Couch, Texas
Dear Martha,
What a wonderful letter and it is one I could have written when I first visited Tahoe. In 1982, while skiing Heavenly, I broke my leg. My boyfriend, at the time, was ahead of me with headphones on and did not hear my shouts for help. However, numerous people on the mountain did and came to my aid.
I was cared for by several great teams (Ski Patrol, EMTs). After the Barton doctor set my severely broken leg, I had a pulmonary embolism. I was told by my hometown doctor that the quick reaction of the medical team, at Barton, truly saved my life.
When thinking of relocating to South Lake Tahoe, two years ago, that great care was a determining factor. I live in this magical place because of that lifesaving day in 1982 and I am so glad you were where you were, Martha, when your injury happened so you could write this wonderful letter. I♥Tahoe
What nice sentiments. I, too, am thankful for our medical professionals here in SLT who have always done their best to be professional in every day stuff and in emergencies. You are all special and deserve the accolades.
Martha E. Couch, I’m glad to hear you were rescued by SLT’s top notch EMT’s and taken care of by our fine staff at Barton hospital and are now recovering in Texas.
I’d also suggest for everyone to become a member of CALSTAR, the helicopter sevice that will get you to Reno’s Renown hospital in minutes. Renown is one of the top rated medical facilitys in the country and for a small membership fee to CALSTAR, you fly free!!!!
Take care Martha and come back to Tahoe!.Old Long Skiis