To the emergency room staff at Albert Lea Medical Center:

Four weeks ago this Monday my father, Lolly Nelson, slipped and fell on ice. After two hours of pain and discomfort he decided to go the emergency room at our local hospital. He was diagnosed with a broken pelvis, which at the time seemed to be an uncomplicated situation. While in the emergency room my family watched in horror as his blood pressure plunged to almost zero and he lost consciousness. After IVs of fluid and other actions by the ER staff, he came around, only to have the same situation occur again a short time later. The ER staff professionally and quickly sprang to action giving him blood transfusions and placing him in a constricting type of suit to help slow internal bleeding, which had been quickly and expertly diagnosed due to his rapidly deteriorating situation.

Mayo One was called, and he was airlifted to St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, where procedures were performed to stop the bleeding inside his pelvic area. The purpose of this letter is to publicly say thank you to the staff on duty that Monday four weeks ago. Your actions saved my father’s life right in front of my eyes.

Dr. Clarence Carlson, Dr. Jeffrey Lotts, Gretchen Finke-Pike and everyone else on duty should be so proud of your performance that day. From the Nelson family, we will always be grateful that your quick thinking allowed my father to celebrate his 90th birthday on Jan. 30. He is making a wonderful recovery, and I have no doubt that he will be back at full speed shortly!

Thank you.

David Nelson

Albert Lea