I write with gratitude in particular regard to Nurse Axtell who I met during my participation in your medical center's cardio rehab program. She leads the Tuesday/Thursday group occasionally in supervising our exercises and the measurement of our vitals before and during the one hour sessions.
In the last 5/6 years, I have had both a heart attack and a stroke and this is the 2nd cardio rehab program I have attended. In the weeks before mid-October, my attention had been drawn to my low oxygen count and on one of my Tuesday sessions, Nurse Axtel checked my count on three occasions and insisted that I quit the treadmill and sit down, rest a while and then go home and immediately make an appointment with a Pulmonary Specialist. She was quite urgent in her suggestion and although I was somewhat reluctant to go before I had finished my routine, it was clear she was determined that I should leave.
In short, I arranged an appointment but on the day before my appointment, I fainted and fell at my home. I was taken to Lutheran Medical Center Emergency and transferred to the 5th floor of the hospital for treatment for a pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale.
I am now back on my cardio rehab with further tests ahead but feeling very grateful for the excellent services your Center provided and in particular to Nurse Axtell who recognized my need and firmly but kindly told a strong-minded 83 year old to get professional help. She is a credit to your facility.