The aircraft from Turkey to Mexico made an emergency touchdown in Houston, a transfer which will have saved her life.
HOUSTON — What started as a world journey from Turkey to Mexico became a race in opposition to time final Friday when a 35-year-old girl suffered a mid-flight medical emergency. Because of quick-thinking passengers, a talented physician on board, and the coordinated efforts of Houston-area medical groups, Maricela Hernandez Quezada is alive and on the highway to a full restoration.
In the course of the flight, Hernandez Quezada started exhibiting indicators of misery. A physician who was additionally a passenger on the flight acknowledged the signs of a stroke and sprang into motion.
That physician administered oxygen, monitored her situation and alerted the flight crew to the severity of the emergency. The aircraft diverted for an unscheduled cease at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
“She was discovered to be weak and paralyzed on the fitting arm, proper leg fully, in addition to having hassle along with her speech, the place she couldn’t comprehend what was being instructed to her,” stated Dr. Haris Kamal with Memorial Hermann Northeast. “And by way of output of speech, she was having a phrase salad, or the incorrect phrases had been popping out jumbled up.”
“I used to be type of in shock as a result of I knew, it was I like I used to be wholesome and I do not smoke. I do not drink. And I believed, ‘Wow, how is that this doable,’” Hernandez Quezada stated.
Paramedics met the plane on the tarmac and rushed Hernandez Quezada to Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital. There, she was stabilized earlier than being flown by Life Flight to Memorial Hermann in The Woodlands, the place a neuro-interventional crew was already getting ready for surgical procedure.
Earlier than the emergency process, Hernandez Quezada was paralyzed on her proper aspect and unable to talk. After the profitable removing of a life-threatening mind clot, she is now strolling, speaking, and is predicted to make a full restoration.
Dr. Kamal eliminated the clot with a catheter inserted in her leg.
“I count on her to proceed this trajectory of enchancment to hopefully being close to regular or regular in a couple of months’ time, the place anybody who could be talking along with her would most likely not be capable to inform that she had actually simply been by way of a significant neurological occasion,” Kamal stated.
He stated on this case, the lengthy aircraft experience with Hernandez Quezada not staying hydrated and never getting as much as stretch most definitely resulted with a blood clot in her leg that traveled to her mind. She simply may have died.
“I really feel blessed as a result of all of the docs and nurses which have care of me,” she stated. “And I simply really feel like a brand new particular person.”
Are you aware the indicators of a stroke? Familiarize your self with B.E. F.A.S.T
The indicators of a stroke should not that onerous to recollect, particularly when you bear in mind the phrase “B.E. F.A.S.T.”
“B.E. F.A.S.T.” is a useful acronym. It’s the indicators of a stroke and figuring out them may doubtlessly be lifesaving. It stands for:
- Balance loss
- Eyesight adjustments
- Face drooping
- Arm weak spot
- Speech problem
- Time to name 911
