Effective Response Saves Amherst Man

Graham Hankey is feeling alright today, but that is thanks to the quick and effective actions by emergency responders after he suffered a brain aneurysm.

Hankey, 44, of Amherst came to last night’s Board of Selectmen meeting to thank the members of the Amherst Rescue Squad and Police Department that saved his life.

Amherst EMS members Sandy Powers, James Lockwood, Darlene Davidson and Officer Matthew Saunders responded to Hankey’s emergency back on July 1.

Hankey said he knew something was wrong when he woke up that morning with irregular symptoms, such as rapid onset of bad headache, chills and a very stiff neck.

“It just felt sufficiently off,” he said. “I knew pretty soon this wasn’t a regular type of flu or some other type of thing.”

What he actually was feeling were symptoms of a ruptured brain aneurysm, a balloon-like bulge or weakening of an artery wall that can release blood into the spaces around the brain.

He didn’t know it at the time, but if he had been left untreated it would have meant certain death.

Hankey dialed 911 and was soon in the caring, knowledgeable hands of our town’s emergency personnel.

“It began with a very rapid response of Amherst police and Amherst EMS,” said Hankey. “Quick speed is essential to ensuring someone who is inflicted with an aneurysm can get treatment and continue to recovery process.”

EMS member Darlene Davidson said she knew Graham prior to the emergency call and could tell he was acting different that usual.

“I knew what his personality was and how he acted normally and how he wasn’t acting normally on that day,” said Davidson.

Davidson said that she and the other emergency responders took care in transporting Hankey, since it is difficult to know exactly what medical condition he was afflicted with.

He said that emergency responders did a fantastic job diagnosing his problem on the way to the hospital, which is a difficult task without the necessary equipment.

After a CAT scan found the aneurysm, Hankey was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital for brain surgery. He spent weeks in intensive care and dealing with complications, but is now on his way to a full recovery.

The Amherst man doesn’t know exactly what caused the brain aneurysm, but said his job as a government contractor had been stressful and he had been travelling a great deal.

Davidson said that she is grateful he decided to call for his symptoms instead of waiting and risking certain death. For Hankey, he is grateful for the hard work done by our local heroes and their role in saving his life.

“They did a fantastic job,” he said.