Angels unaware in Rockdale
Dear editor, Every day that God gives me I am thankful. As a mortal getting on in age and having lived a full life, I’ve had the thought “What would happen if I had a medical emergency?” Maybe you’ve had that thought as well. You give it a thought, then go on living another day doing the things we do. Well, this past Tuesday I had a medical emergency and didn’t have to wonder what the answer to that question would be.
In my c a s e I wa s becoming unstable due to the medical situation I was enduring but I was able to reach out to my friend and medical specialist PA-C Richard Todd at CamRock Clinic who provided immediate medical response on my behalf as I was not in condition to do so. It couldn’t have been more than three or four minutes that Rockdale Police officers Parker and Wall arrived on the scene and began providing me with expert medical care. I can’t over emphasize how professional and knowledgeable they were. We are truly blessed in Rockdale to have a force of professionals like Officers Parker and Wall serving our community.
It couldn’t have been another five minutes and people began to come in our home. It was a troop of Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department volunteers coming to do what they had been trained to do. As they say it was like a “well-oiled machine.” They had me on a gurney and had me headed to the helipad. Because the EMS team was unavailable, as they were in Milano on another issue, the response team made the decision to call in the PHI helicopter which was in Bastrop at the time. The VFD response had me in their transit response vehicle and to the helipad in a few short minutes. There I was attended to by Dr. Solis and several others. I can’t call out everyone that helped my situation by name as I don’t really know who was there but you each know who you are, and I want you to know that I’m extremely grateful and humbled by your attention to my medical situation. You are all Heroes.
It couldn’t have been five minutes and the PHI helicopter arrived and had me strapped for my trip to Seton Williamson Hospital. Thanks to those PHI professionals and their great job it seemed only 15 minutes and I was on the ground at Seton Williamson and in the ER.
My Pastor Steve Ammons was one of the first there as well. He and Tammy took care of Malda and got her to Seton while I was in air transit. That’s when prayer warriors, that I don’t even know, began their intercession for me and that was truly needed.
So today, I’m recovering and doing well thanks to the swift and expert medical care of all that that unselfishly and dutifully responded to my distress.
So why this personal story? Well it’s to let you know that I’ve had my earlier question “What would happen if I had a medical emergency” answered as they say “in spades” and I want you to know that if you have had that question as well, then you can rest easy and don’t be distressed or concerned. Your city is well prepared to meet your emergency and do it swiftly and selflessly. The individuals, standing on the alert day or night to meet these kinds of needs are often strangers to each of us. They may be in a neat recognizable uniform. They may be behind a counter or doing their daily trade. Some may just be passing you by in jeans, tee shirt and a “gimme” cap. You may go by them on the street or in a store and not even know the service they have and stand ready to provide. To each of you I give a salute.
Hebrews 13:2 talks about “angels unaware.” Strangers to you and me but each and every day ready to meet the call if needed. Just know they are out there ready to meet your need and do it unselfishly. Rockdale, let me say to you….like the Allstate ad….“You’re in good hands.”
Richard Burns 1503 Skyles Rd. Rockdale, TX
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