Jan 22, 2015 Reporting from Niles, MI
An Unlikely Lifeline - Ericka Nykamp
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/how-we-compare/our-patients/Detail/An-Unlikely-Lifeline/85c341ad-c230-6723-add8-ff0000ca780f/
Jan 22, 2015
Jan 22, 2015
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
Ericka Nykamp, 78, had no idea how severe her condition really was. Her blood sugar had spiked to a dangerously high level. She was experiencing symptoms, but had no way of reaching the hospital.
Her husband was sick. She couldn't
An Unlikely Lifeline - Ericka Nykamp
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
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An Unlikely Lifeline - Ericka Nykamp
Jan, 2015
Physicians: Jean LaFever, PA-C
Ericka Nykamp, 78, had no idea how severe her condition really was. Her blood sugar had spiked to a dangerously high level. She was experiencing symptoms, but had no way of reaching the hospital.
Her husband was sick. She couldn't drive. Her only lifeline was a physician assistant from Stagg Medical Center in Hartford, Jean LaFever, PA-C. The two had just met a few days ago.
Ericka had become ill after suffering from food poisoning. She was dehydrated and on the verge of kidney failure. She was also a diabetic. Jean examined Ericka and immediately sent her to Lakeland Community Hospital, Watervliet for treatment.
“I stayed for three days in the hospital,” Ericka said. “They gave me some medications to help me get better and switched my insulin. After I was released, I got a call from a doctor but I couldn't understand everything he was trying to tell me.”
You see, Ericka immigrated to the United States in 1953 from East Germany to Watervliet. She speaks English fairly well, but sometimes has difficulty understanding others.
The doctor was concerned about Ericka’s blood sugar levels. After failing to bridge the language barrier, he contacted Jean to see if she could help.
“Jean called me and told me that my sugar had spiked,” Ericka said. “She told me to go to the Emergency Room, but my husband was very sick and I can’t drive. There was no way for me to leave the house.”
Jean knew she had to do something. She knew that Ericka needed to have her blood sugar and vital signs checked regularly, so she called her every 30 minutes to monitor the situation.
This lasted throughout the afternoon and evening until Ericka’s blood sugar finally stabilized around 2:00 a.m. She went to sleep, but the phone rang once again at 8:00 a.m. It was Jean calling to check on her.
“I had no idea how serious this was,” Ericka said. “Jean never let on and always stayed calm. For that, I am very grateful. She wasn't even my physician, but she took the extra time to make sure that I was alright.”
Ericka now sees Jean regularly at Stagg Medical Center. The two are working to ensure that Ericka’s blood sugar levels stay properly regulated.
“Jean loves her job and Respects her patients,” Ericka said. “She goes to great lengths to care for them well. I am so happy that I met her!”