NEWS DESK
Time the essence in stroke treatment MORNINGTON father-of-three Ian Thompson felt his head go “cloudy”, couldn’t think straight and became disoriented; to make matters worse, he began to lose his vision. Although the 64-year-old did not know it at the time, he was having a stroke. “After meeting other stroke survivors I feel lucky, as if I had dodged a bullet,” he said last week. “Thankfully, the staff at Frankston Hospital’s emergency department recognised the signs and responded so quickly.” The stroke hit while he was working on his arrows at Frankston Archery Club. “I was using this new solvent to repair the arrows and it’s really volatile stuff,” he said. “It was after I’d had a whiff that my head started to go all funny, so I put it down to that. I knew something was wrong but I couldn’t even walk into the club house – I didn’t know where it was. I didn’t know how to use my phone to call my wife. All I could do was sit there.” At 4.30pm that day the clock had started ticking to save Mr Thompson’s life and limit the effects of the stroke. Mr Thompson’s archery club mates could see something was badly wrong, so they took him home to his wife Sandra. She took one look at him and brought him straight to the emergency department. By the time he arrived staff had just 45 minutes to diagnose the stroke, determine what had caused it and administer the lifesaving clot-busting medication. “They found I had two blockages – one on the right side,
Crime figures down CRIME statistics figures for the Mornington Peninsula released last week indicate that offences across all major crime groups have dropped in the past 12 months. Crimes against the person were 1487 (1637 last year); property and deception 5901 (6311); drugs 692 (709), and public order 987 (1269). The only increase was in justice procedures which were up to 1808 from 1691. Total crimes reported on the peninsula were 10,896 down from 11,684 last year. In Frankston, reported crimes were 14,790, down from last year’s 15,825. Crimes against the person were 2278 (last year 2256); property and deception 7446 (8182); drug offences 1059 (1167); and public order 1119 (1304); justice procedures 2861 (2892).
Police remembered
Dodged a bullet: Mornington’s Ian Thompson says he was lucky to be treated in the 45-minute stroke “window”. Picture: Supplied
which was the part that affects eyesight, and one at the top of the spinal cord,” Mr Thompson explained. “They were working really hard with the four-hour window to give me the clot buster. I ended up getting it with 20 minutes to go – so I was lucky.” After a few nights in hospital, Mr Thompson was able to go home and onto the stroke detours program. “My sight is still recovering so they taught me really practical things for coping with that, such as how to get my bearings back. For example, they’d drive
me down to the local shops and then I had to direct them home.” Frankston Hospital’s emergency department clinical director Dr Shyaman Menon said a stroke occurred when the blood supply to the brain was interrupted. “Blood is carried to the brain by arteries which contain the oxygen and nutrients brain cells need,” she said. “Without this, brain cells die.” Although brain cells usually die soon after the stroke starts, some can last a few hours if the blood supply is
not cut off completely. “This is why it is so important people get to the emergency department as soon as possible so medication can be administered to save these cells,” Dr Menon said. While still recovering from the effects of the stroke, Mr Thompson is back caravanning and spending time with his grandchildren. Peninsula Health is urging people to fast track access to emergency stroke care, close to home, by donating to donations.peninsulahealth.org.au or by calling 9788 1284.
A POLICE Remembrance Day ceremony commemorating the 2Oth anniversary of the murders of Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rod Miller in 1998 will be held Thursday 27 September. Members of the public are invited to attend the event at the Rosebud RSL, 117 Eastbourne Road for an 11am start. This is the only Police Remembrance Ceremony being held for the Southern Metro Region Division 4 (Southern Peninsula/Frankston). Those attending are asked to RSVP for catering purposes. Details: Call Mira Hosmer at Frankston police station 9784 5600 or email mira.hosmer@police.vic. gov.au
Meet the parents!
Here’s Humphrey! He and Winnie are the proud parents-to-be of our new litter of dogs for kids with disabilities. How many puppies will there be? Will they be golden like Winnie, or black like their dad? We’re not sure yet, but we’re excited to find out! Like us on Facebook to follow Winnie’s progress with the puppies!
Dogs for Kids with Disabilities
@Dogs.For.Kids.With.Disabilities PAGE 12
Frankston Times 24 September 2018
Crash scene: A woman was injured when her car collided with a police car in Nepean Highway, Mornington, Wednesday last week. Pictures: Ben Triandafillou
Woman injured in crash with police car A POLICE car responding to an “urgent job” last week collided with another car injuring an elderly woman. Both cars sustained significant damage. The Mornington-based Ford Territory police vehicle was travelling along Nepean Highway at the Bungower Road intersection when it ran into the woman’s car as it turned onto Nepean Highway, noon, Wednesday 19 September. Acting Senior Sergeant Brett Cooke, of Mornington police, said the patrol car, with “lights flashing and siren sounding”, had slowed as it entered the intersection. “The middle and right-hand-lane traffic had stopped but the elderly driver, in her 80s, may
not have seen the police car as she turned with the green light and it has run into her,” he said. “She was taken to Frankston Hospital with what we were told were non-life-threatening injuries.” A Mornington Fire Brigade pumper rushed to the scene and the four-man crew “assisted with the clean-up and made the area safe”, station officer Geoff Barker said. Frankston SES deputy controller Shane Double said crews used the Jaws of Life to cut the woman free and assist ambulance officers. No charges were expected to be laid over the collision.