445th AES provides medical care to one of their own

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shen-Chia McHone
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  "I never thought I would die here, not like this."

This was the last thought running through the mind of Tech. Sgt. Nathan Hutchison, 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron technician, flying paramedic.

He couldn't imagine dying so far from home without saying his good-byes. He realized that at any moment in one's life, death can come knocking at your door.

It all began back in May 2012. Hutchison was on duty in Puerto Rico with the 445th AES. Although he was there to support the mission to move sick and injured patients, he became a patient himself when his appendix burst.

According to WebMD, appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. Appendicitis is a medical emergency that requires prompt surgery to remove the appendix. If left untreated, mortality is high, mainly because of the risk of rupture leading to infection and inflammation of the intestinal lining. An inflamed appendix will eventually burst or perforate, spilling infectious materials into the abdominal cavity.

Like most emergency medical events in life, it happened all of sudden and without warning.

"It was way beyond the worst pain I've ever felt in my life. I didn't think it was possible for any human being to feel this kind of pain, that's why I felt I was done for sure," said Hutchison.

What started as a horrible stomach ache began getting worse and he felt an impending doom, it was as though his body knew something wasn't quite right.

"At one point, I was down on my knees, hugging the corner of the bed. I had to be carried because I couldn't straighten out my legs," he said.

Luckily for Hutchison, he had a team of professionals he knew personally and trusted to take care of him.

"I knew I was in great hands. The 445th AES Airmen has been in the medical career field longer than me and I've seen them in action with patients before, so I was at ease and could trust that they would take care of me," he said.

Flight nurses Maj. Robin Kenney, medical crew director at the time, led the team followed by Capt. Janice Brown, Lt. Col. Kim Sandusky, and medical technicians Staff Sgt. Erica Algeo and Master Sgt. Brad Eckhart.

In approximately 10 minutes after notifying Kenney of the situation, Hutchison was rushed to the hospital.

"I'm usually a tough guy who can handle certain situations, but it was so painful that I was in tears and my co-workers knew something was very wrong," said Hutchison.

The AES team assisted Hutchison to the nearest medical facility where the hospital staff spoke very little English. He had a translator who spoke Spanish and was able to stay with him for the four days he was hospitalized.

The crew members did the examination and the first conclusion was that it was a gall bladder attack due to the symptoms at the time. It was only after a CT scan (Computed Tomography) at a local emergency room that it was known to be appendicitis.

"They worked feverishly with the hospital staff to rush me to the appropriate diagnostics to be evaluated, and they were also constantly on the phone with the flight surgeon at Air Mobility Command as well as my unit, and family members," said Hutchison.

Although Hutchison says he has never had a life-threatening experience like this before, he knew he was in good hands.

"I never worried for a second because I trusted the 445th AES with my life," said Hutchison.

When the 445th AES Airmen had accomplished their mission and were ready to leave, acting first Sergeant, Eckhart, stayed behind with Hutchison.

He says Eckhart stayed by his side, double-checking everything and administered the care himself. He stayed with Hutchison until he arrived safely back home, where the Col. Linda Stokes-Crowe, 445th AES commander and Chief Master Sgt. Peri Rogowski, 445th Airlift Wing command chief, greeted him at the airport.

"After this first-hand experience of being a patient, it has helped me to see how a patient feels and know the proper steps to better to take care of my patients in the future," said Hutchison. "It was amazing to see how our Airmen came together to do an amazing job taking care of me and I thanked God for being with them at that time."