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…helicopter was blessing in disguise – brother This past Tuesday, November 18, pilots from the U.S. Marine Heavy Helicopter (HMH) Squadron 464,Hombre/Mujer Nike Air VaporMax 97 Silver Bullet AJ7291-002, currently embarked aboard the USS Kearsarge off the coast of Guyana, rendered emergency transport assistance to fifteen-year-old Shellon Abrams of Moruca, who was suffering from acute appendicitis.It turned out that the trip – from Kumaka District Hospital in Santa Rosa to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Georgetown – probably saved her life.“When we got to the hospital here, they gave her further testing, and we found out that her appendix was ruptured,” said Sherwin Abrams, Shellon’s brother. Because she was in a location suitable for an appendectomy, Shellon could be prepped for surgery immediately.“She was very scared when she found out she would need surgery,” said Dr. Surendra Persaud, general surgeon at St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital. “A ruptured appendix is a life-threatening problem if not dealt with immediately. The nurses did what they could to help; they held her hand and tried their best to comfort her.”After an hour in the operating room, Abrams was moved into recovery, where family could check in on her.“Before and during the surgery I was very anxious,” said Sherwin. “After she came out, I was so thrilled to see that everything went well. She was still in a little pain, but I could tell she was feeling much better just by looking at her.”“The Kearsarge medical team was a great help,” said Dr. Persaud. “If Shellon was not brought here by the American helicopters, she would have been forced to come by boat. That would have taken a lot more time, and her condition would have become much worse.”Sherwin knows his sister was lucky to receive the treatment in such a timely manner.“I want to thank everyone involved in my sister’s treatment,” he said. “The American military and all of the doctors, everyone was very professional. Now we can go home with no worries about her health.”Still weak from the surgery, Abrams was able to say one thing. “The helicopter ride was fun, and I am really looking forward to going home.”The Kearsarge departs Guyana today, having spent almost two weeks in Guyana. |
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