Reassuring Care From Ambulance to ER [Teri Bierstedt]

My name is Terry Bierstedt. I'm originally from Huron. I moved to Brookings about 18 years ago. I like crafts. I like singing. I like to hang out with my two dogs. A Yorkie and a Shorkie. They keep me busy.

When did you notice something was wrong?

I was at a cooking class at the Brookings Activity Center, and I am very allergic to spices. Usually, just spices that I ingest. But there happened to be a pile of thyme there, and I could smell it. I was probably, I don't know, 6 feet away, and I could smell it, and I'm like, "Oh, my gosh. I don't feel well. I have to get out of here." I went to the bathroom, and I became very sick to my stomach. So, I just kind of sat there for a while, but I passed out. Apparently, I dropped my blood pressure. And some friends found me lying on the floor, so they called the ambulance.

How was your ambulance experience?

They were very reassuring, very comforting. They got an IV started right away. They gave me fluids and something for nausea, and pretty much by the time I got to the ER, I felt much better. First time I've ever been on an ambulance ride, and it was a great experience.

How quickly did you receive care?

Oh, immediately. The nurse was in immediately. The doctors, a whole team of technicians, drawing blood, doing X-rays. Very quick. Very good response.

What tests did the staff use to rule out other conditions?

I had lab work, a chest X-ray, and a CT scan from pretty much head to toe. They were trying to rule out a pulmonary embolism because one of the lab tests that they did indicated it could be that, but also indicated that it can be abnormal when you're having an allergic reaction. So, they just wanted to rule some things out. You know, they covered all their bases, and I'm really glad they did. I'm like, "Oh, I don't need all that." But yeah, I did. They needed to rule things out. And I was glad it wasn't anything more serious.

What was your impression of the ER staff?

The nurse was a sweetheart. I was so cold. She brought me these pads and warm blankets. Just a lot of comfort measures, a lot of reassurance. And even the technicians that did the CT scan, the chest X-ray, the lab, everybody was wonderful. They kept me here, they figured out what was wrong, and I was on my way by the evening.

How well did the staff communicate with you?

And I'm a nurse, so you know, they explained it in a way that I could understand. And the nurse, her name was Lynn. She was just awesome. She goes, "Can you tell me your address?" And so, I told her, and she goes, "Oh, we're neighbors." So now every time I see her walking her little girls to the park, "Hey." And she's like, "How are you feeling?" I'm like, "Great."

How did the staff make you feel comfortable?

I don't have family here, so they allowed my friends to be in with me, and that really helped. And they explained things to them and very understanding. They let me have the two of them in the room. They're my support people, and they kept them notified of what's going on.

Why is having emergency care close to home important?

It's wonderful that we have this level of care here. We're very fortunate to have people that you trust, people that can take care of you locally and just minutes away.

Why would you recommend Brookings Health System for emergency care?

They're right here in Brookings. They provide excellent care. Great doctors, great nurses, great technicians. Just a wonderful experience, very caring. And they figured out what was wrong. I'm just glad Brookings Health and the ambulance, you guys were there when I needed you.

Are you one of Brookings Health System's grateful patients who would like to give back to us? Learn more about how you can give back at brookingshealth.org/MyThanks.