In the air, on the job
Within five minutes of the call to rush a stroke victim to life-saving care coming in, the Boston MedFlight helicopter whirred to life and lifted off.
Suddenly, I was looking down on Boston and the surrounding towns, like tiny pieces laid out on a board game, as the aircraft cut through the sky on its critical mission, where every minute counts.
The inside of the aircraft vibrated as chatter over the radio detailed weather conditions and warned of other helicopters flying to our right and left.
My center of gravity and sense of hearing were altered by the noise and motion of the aircraft. I surveyed the equipment and supplies strapped into the helicopter — stretchers, IV bags, oxygen tanks and a whole host of other medical items.
Critical care nurse Mog Flynn sat by my side, both of us strapped into the seat with our helmets on tight and microphones suspended just in front of our lips. Paramedic Mike Hourihan and pilot Dave Hyde occupied the side-by-side front seats and periodically checked in with me over the mic.
Boston fell out of view as we flew over the coast, the aircraft racing at more than 150 mph. Landing near a regional hospital — Boston MedFlight, observing strict patient confidentiality rules, asked that not even the hospital be identified — the crew in their blue flight suits rode the short distance in an ambulance to initiate the transport.
The hospital swarmed with doctors and nurses surrounding the patient, all of whom quickly stepped aside to let Flynn and Hourihan get to work. Within minutes, we were all back in the ambulance, rushing toward the aircraft as Flynn continued to assess the patient and keep his blood pressure in check.
The helicopter lifted gently off the ground again and with the patient and Flynn just inches from me, I realized I had never been this close to a true medical emergency. Flynn was unbelievably calm and steady despite riding a delicate line between keeping the patient’s blood pressure high enough to clear the blood clot from his brain, but not too high to overwhelm his heart.
Boston yet again came into view with what looked like small toy cars in traffic below. Boston MedFlight had given yet another patient another chance at life and recovery, and I was there to see it.