Verne’s Story

With every donation, Langley Memorial Hospital is closer to realizing its new cardiac care expansion.

The moment he felt the the first pain in his chest while eating dinner, Verne Brown dismissed it as one of the normal aches and pains that comes with age.

But the pain returned the next morning and intensified. He knew it was different.

A call to his family doctor directed Brown to go to the emergency department at Langley Memorial Hospital (LMH) immediately.

After a batter of tests and a day of monitoring, Brown learned he had suffered a heart attack. 

"It's a day etched in my memory," shared the retired Mountie.

"My emotions were a mixture of surprise, upset, and I couldn't believe it."

That day in 2004, Brown began what he calls is his "life-saving journey."

He was transported to Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, where a stent was placed in his heart. Then he was returned to LMH where he regained his strength and stability. He still receives annual testing.

Turns out Brown was fortunate to recover close to home, where his family could visit. His bed was just one of six in the Langley Memorial's critical care unit. Almost two decades later, despite the community's soaring population numbers, there are still only six cardiac beds at LMH.

As Langley grows, so too does the need for cardiac care facilities, Brown said, putting himself out there as the "poster child" of sorts for a current campaign by the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation to purchase 10 new cardiac care beds (state-of-the-art telemetry units) for the hospital. 

The campaign, which was launched early this year, is aiming to raise a minimum of $645,000 to purchase the 10 beds, and another $100,000 for necessary supportive telemetry equipment. On Oct. 21, the foundation held its annual hospital gala, and raised about $315,000 towards that goal, said foundation executive director Heather Scott.

The gala brought the hospital to within $100,000 of buying the specialized monitoring beds, and about $200,000 of their ultimate goal, she said, speaking to her hope the remaining funds can be raised before Christmas.

Brown's personal story was shared during the gala, evoking a few tears from the 320-person crowd and prompting many in the room to dig deeper and give even more to the cause. 

"The funds raised at the gala for Langley Memorial Hospital's cardiac care unit will expand the number of beds and provide advanced equipment to our highly specialized health-care teams to help ensure the growing number of cardiac patients seen at Langley receive excellent care," Scott explained.

"We haven't quite reached our goal. We're almost there. And, we're confident that the community will come through, and we'll be able to fully equip the hospital with the additional beds soon," she added.

Brown is keen to share his story, especially if it helps others realize the desperate need there is for improved cardiac care at his local hospital. 

Thanks to the care he received at LMH, the Walnut Grove resident said he wears "the badge of a proud heart attack survivor."

He now embraces an active lifestyle with daily walks with his wife, Martha, as well as a more balanced diet - hoping he never needs the cardiac care unit again. But he fears for others.

"I reflect back on those days with immense gratitude," Brown shared, "appreciating the importance of being close to home during my cardiac care. As Langley grows, so does the need for accessible cardiac care facilities. It's vital that fellow Langley residents can find the care and support they need, during their most trying times, right in our community - just as I did."

This article was originally published by the Langley Advance Times.