The spring and summer of 2025 were very challenging for my wife and I. It was during this period that the Community First Responders helped to save my life, twice.
It all started when my T11 vertebrae collapsed causing intense pain, and a subsequent series of tests unexpectedly revealed that I had undiagnosed stage 3 Multiple Myeloma, an incurable blood cancer that had attacked my blood, bones and kidneys.
I started on what can only be described as a brutal course of treatment which included radiotherapy, weekly chemotherapy and immunotherapy, as well as an extensive cocktail of daily drugs.
Myeloma causes me to have a severely compromised immune system and puts me at high risk of rapid onset sepsis, in some cases I will have less than an hour to get to a hospital and start intravenous medications.
I called upon the services of the West Midlands Ambulance Service, who in turn requested support from Red Horse Vale’s Responders, Tim and James, both of which were deemed life threatening and subsequently resulted in a blue light run to Warwick hospital.
On the second occasion, my wife called 999 as I couldn’t stand up without feeling as though I was passing out and I was gasping for breath.
Fortunately for me, a CFR arrived within minutes and helped by administering oxygen. I was still very distressed and I genuinely believed I was dying. The ambulance crew arrived not long after and they worked together, performing an ECG and diagnosing dangerously low blood pressure.
When I arrived at Warwick A&E, it was discovered that as well as blood clots in both lungs, I was carrying almost 14 kilos of excess fluid, a side effect of my treatment, that had gathered around my heart and lungs, restricting their ability to function.
I ended up staying in hospital for three weeks as they worked on getting me well enough to be at home.
There is no doubt in my mind that without the efforts of Red Horse Vale Community First Responders, West Midlands Ambulance Service and the team at Warwick hospital, I would have died.
I’m extremely grateful that all of you work so hard to fundraise, equip, train and respond to our community’s medical emergencies, helping to keep us safe, day and night, all year round.
Thank you