X-Message-Number: 31902
From: "Robert Newport" <>
Subject: new post
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:02:49 -0700

HI to All: This is a letter from my friend and long time cryonic's
associate, Russell Cheney. Russell was the SoCal ACT Leader under Fred and
Lynda Chamberlain, and for a short time under Jerry Lemler M.D. He is very
familiar with the difficulties associated with rescues. This letter means a
lot to those of us in Alcor who are still active on the regional rescue
teams. It should be welcome  news to those of you who are Alcor Suspension
Members. I have Russell's permission to post this. Thank you for your
attention, Dr. Robert 

 

 

All-

 

In the early-morning hours of Saturday, 8/22/2009, I had the opportunity to
experience the current Alcor emergency-response capability first hand.

 

Because there have been a number of significant changes at Alcor since the
Hara Ra situation, I thought it might be appropriate for me to pass along
some comments on my recent experience.

 

The need was triggered by my ambulance transport from my motorhome located
in Morro Strand State Beach Campground to the emergency component of the
Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, California, an
approximate 25-minute trip.  I had called my brother Ken in Pasadena and
asked him to apprise Alcor; he used the information from my medical alert
tag which I had previously made him a copy of (he used the 800 367-2228
telephone number).

 

Ken subsequently described his call as being answered promptly and
professionally by a woman who was calm and thorough, the only apparent
problem being confusing my first name for his.

 

I personally called Hugh Hixon, who acted like the good friend that he is,
and who was immediately supportive and full of good advise and behaved as
though it was normal-working hours rather than the 1:00 am time-frame which
it most likely actually was, and behaved as though he had nothing better to
do than talk with me.

 

Soon after arriving at the Medical Center, I received a call from Jennifer
Chapman, who was also very supportive and full of good advice, and behaved
as though it was normal-working hours and she, as Executive Director, had
nothing better to do at this ungodly hour than to be concerned for my
individual welfare.

 

Jennifer soon had Aaron Drake on line with us, who ALSO was thoroughly
supportive and full of good advise and behaved as though it was
normal-working hours.  Aaron added the dimension of being able to help me
understand better, from a medical perspective, what was happening to me and
some possible expected developments.

 

As thoroughly professional and supportive as all of these first contacts
were, communications continued throughout the wee hours of the morning.  I
continued to receive personal supportive calls from all three folks,
reminding me that they were there and as to what Alcor's protocols were,
offering, for instance, to speak directly to Medical Center personnel, which
Jennifer did at one point to obtain the specific medications which were
being administered to me.  I was released from the Medical Center at about
3:30 am 8/22.  Hugh has since continued to communicate helpful ideas
relating to possible causes relating to the initial medical condition.

 

Personally, based on my six-plus years of doing Alcor stand-bys and
transports, I have usually seen essentially two different reactions to a
transport team's presence by an Alcor member: terror or gratitude.  I had
wondered what my reaction would be.  It was gratitude; I was extremely
thankful for such a professional and competent response.  I felt that I was
with able and supportive friends.

 

Please feel free to contact me regarding any pertinent additional details.

 

R!

 

 

Dr. Bob Newport, President; CCNA Board, 6215 Del Valle Drive, Los Angeles,
CA 90048, tele; 323-449-9434

 



 Content-Type: text/html;

[ AUTOMATICALLY SKIPPING HTML ENCODING! ] 

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=31902