When lifelong French Island resident Terry failed to show up for work one morning, his friends and co-workers knew something was wrong.
What followed was a medical emergency that saw Terry one of the very first patients to be airlifted to the new helipad at Peninsula University Hospital.
Terry has a history of epilepsy but admits he had become complacent about taking his medication.
“It was 100 per cent my fault. I hadn’t been taking my tablets like I should have been,” explains Terry.
When colleagues realised Terry had not arrived for work, they began calling to check on him.
“One of the boys rang and said, ‘What’s going on?’ and I couldn’t tell him,” Terry recalls. “Then another friend rang and said, ‘Look, he doesn’t know what’s going on.’”
Friends quickly came to help and raised the alarm.
According to Terry, he suffered multiple seizures and has little memory of what happened next.
“I remember nothing,” he says. “My friends can tell you more than I can because they’ll tell you the correct story.”
Terry’s friend Michelle recalls the Emergency crews responding quickly, with the air ambulance landing in a local paddock and swiftly transporting Terry from French Island to Peninsula University Hospital in Frankston.
Terry has required medical evacuation from French Island before, but in the past when he has required urgent medical treatment he was taken to The Alfred. The new helipad at Peninsula University Hospital has meant more local patients like Terry can receive urgent medical treatment, when they need it, closer to home.
By the time Terry regained awareness, he had already spent several days receiving treatment.
“I was out for four or five days apparently,” Terry says.
He spent time in the Intensive Care Unit before transferring to a ward to continue his recovery.
Doctors determined the episode was linked to Terry not taking his prescribed epilepsy medication and adjusted his treatment plan before he was discharged home.
“They put me on a different type of medication and I’ve had no incidents since,” he says.
Now back at home and feeling well, Terry says the experience reinforced the importance of looking after himself.
“I’ve learned from the experience,” he says. “Now I know I’ve got to take my medication every day, every morning and every night.”
Throughout his hospital stay, Terry was impressed by the care and compassion shown by staff.
“It was fantastic,” he says. “I couldn’t complain about anything.”
“There were nurses around me the whole time caring for me. It was ridiculous how well I got treated.”
Terry is also grateful to Ambulance Victoria for the excellent care and service they provide to French Island, as air ambulance is the only way to be evacuated from the Island in case of emergency.