Get Better Gamma
Are you looking for a meaningful way to take care of the health and well-being of someone you love? Consider making a thoughtful donation to the RIH Foundation today!
Friday, August 23rd, 2023, started like any other day. I woke up and decided to stop by my mom Crystal’s house because I knew she hadn’t been feeling well in the days prior. Little did I know, my mom’s condition was far worse than I could have ever imagined. Walking into her house, I found her in bed, unresponsive, her eyes open but completely vacant. Panic set in as I rushed to dial 911. When the paramedics arrived they got to work immediately, calling in back-up and doing everything in their power to stabilize her before making the journey to Royal Inland Hospital. Upon arrival, my mom was fast-tracked to the Teck Emergency Department. She underwent a multitude of tests, while the doctors and nurses worked tirelessly to determine the cause of her sudden decline.
As the day wore on, my vibrant mom who seemed completely fine in the weeks before was now in a diabetic coma, being transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). The haunting thought that she might not make it began to make its way into my mind. I feared that my mom was not going to survive to meet my unborn baby or be there to watch my 5-year-old daughter, Harlow, grow up. Imagining a future without my mom, my best friend, was unbearable. The doctors discovered that my mom had a urinary tract infection that went septic, causing her blood sugar to skyrocket to a life-threatening level. Her undetected infection compounded the severity of her pre-existing diabetes, leading to life-altering consequences. For four agonizing days, I stayed by her side, holding on to the hope that she would wake up.
The ICU staff at Royal Inland Hospital were my salvation. Nurses and doctors were constantly checking in on my mom, delivering exemplary care every step of the way. They not only took care of her but also ensured my comfort, offering me blankets and pillows during those long nights. On the fifth day, my mom woke up with no recollection of what happened or where she was. The medical staff were by her side in an instant, offering reassurance while she navigated moments of confusion and came to grips with her current reality.
Throughout her recovery, the ICU team went above and beyond, ensuring my mom’s dignity was always preserved, motivating her to get better, and even throwing in a little friendly banter to lighten her mood. On the seventh day, my mom was discharged, and we left the hospital with immense gratitude for the staff who played a crucial role in her recovery. The specialized care at Royal Inland Hospital saved my mom’s life. Thanks to the incredible dedication of the doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals, my mom survived to meet her second granddaughter, Sawyer, born on January 2nd, 2024. Today, she is almost fully recovered with a new found perspective on life.
To the supporters of the RIH Foundation, your donations made this specialized care possible. Your generosity has given us the greatest gift of all – more time together. I look forward to sharing many more precious years with my mom, or as my daughter would say, the best “Gamma” on the planet.
Sincerely,
Becca Bolt , Daughter of Grateful Patient Crystal Harvey
Join us in contributing to more stories of resilience, hope, and treasured moments with a meaningful gift to the RIH Foundation. Your tax-deductible donation will directly support RIH’s outstanding medical team – giving all those who unexpectedly come through our doors the best chance for a bright and healthy future
