Dear Stuart:
I am writing this letter to you in care of the North Shore News in hopes that you read your community paper and see this. I am not sure if you are Stuart or Stewart — all I know is your name is Stuart.
Thank you for your efforts to save my life when I was choking and in need of immediate medical help. While Isak, one of the staff at the theatre did the Heimlich at least three times, it was not until the next two you administered, that I was able to breathe again. Through both of your concerted efforts I am alive today.
While I have been able to locate and thank Isak (on staff at the Park & Tilford Cineplex Odeon), I have not been able to thank you because I left the movie theatre without your contact information. I, at that time, was very traumatized by the events, shaking and in shock, my vocal cords squeaky, and my terror still overwhelming me. While I did my best to thank you both at the time, it does not feel like it was enough.
Choking on food is terrifying. In an instant, you realize something you have heard about, learned first aid about, and never thought could ever happen to you, is indeed happening to you. My world became very quiet as I realized the danger I was in. While several moviegoers walked by, unaware of the life threatening situation because I was unable to speak and likely looked like a mad woman, I urgently begged the ticket staff for help. Isak realized what was going on, and began the Heimlich. What no one tells you is that the Heimlich is very painful.
While he was doing it, nothing popped out like in the proverbial training ads we see about someone choking. Medical help was shouted for. And you responded to the call. I think you were in the lineup waiting to order popcorn. Suddenly you had your arms around me and performed the Heimlich two more times and somewhere along the line I could breathe again — although nothing that I can remember popped out.
Thank you for saving my life. Thank you for staying with me, as I waited for my husband to come and take me home. Shaking, crying, and barely able to communicate, I apologize for not being more thankful at the time.
I just wanted to go home and pretend none of it happened.
What I learned in days following the choking event was that being someone with osteo, I have fractured ribs on both sides of my rib cage. A constant reminder of my close call with death. They will heal. Bottom line is I am alive to write this letter to you.
I also learned that I should have gone to the hospital to be checked out when you asked me if I wanted to go, but I could not make a rational decision, all I knew is that I wanted to go to the safety of my own home, my own bed. But for anyone out there who suffers a near brush with death, go to the hospital and get checked out. It is important.
Stuart – thank you for being the kind of man who responds to someone in need. You were not a bystander, watching events unfold. Instead, you jumped in and did something. My family would have been planning my funeral had you not gotten involved. I am so thankful that you did.
I am working on an article about this experience. I have no idea what the situation looked like from your viewpoint – and I would be glad to hear about it. Was I turning blue? Were you frightened by the responsibility of trying to save someone’s life? Did you realize that you really did save someone’s life? I thank you. My family and friends thank you too.
I would love to hear from you. My email is [email protected] should you see this letter, should you have time to respond.
Thank you.
Joy Fai
North Vancouver
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