CBS News / iTriage App

[Lady Kett]

Ok so, I struggled if this should go in Mundane Topics or Member Milestones. It doesn't feel like a milestone, so I elected Mundane Topics. My feelings will not be hurt if it is moved!

So.....this evening my trusty Sidekick and I were interviewed by Wyatt Andrews of the CBS Evening News (the national news segment) regarding his stroke (ya, ya, I know everyone doesn't know about it but hey, it's about to be on the freakin' national news!) because of a smartphone app called iTriage.

Short story - I came home, hubby (Sidekick, as I call him and he is know here for his, oh, all of 3 posts maybe?) said, I feel icky with xyz symptoms. I said, we need to go to the hospital. He didn't want to go. Not because he felt he was totally fine, just because he wanted to BE fine and you know, hospitals are definitely NOT fine. When he gave me his symptoms, I went totally blank mentally but I had just been to a conference where the iTriage app was hyped, and of course had downloaded it. (on my personal iPhone, as opposed to my work cell phone because a) it was not a smartphone and b) even if it was we can't download apps on our company-provided smartphones...i have one now but still can't download! Yes, Corporate America has issues). I pulled up his symptoms and basically told him, "I can't fix this, we're going to the hospital, NOW!" And he stopped arguing with me.

The app basically informed me it was likely (and indeed so) that he was having a stroke, and then with a few clicks, took me to the nearest emergency room. Which, by luck of the draw, has a particular stroke care accreditdation in Texas that no other hospital in the state has. It was not where I would have thought was the nearest ER.

Several days later in the inpatient setting where you know, you have a ton of time to kill, I was playing with the various apps on my phone and the "rate this app" came up for iTriage...I basically thought heck ya! 5 stars all the way, you saved my husband's life! If i had not had this information at my fingertips, I may very well have gone "fine, take a nap, I will check on you later" - which would have been really, really bad.

Anyway, iTriage reached out to me because CBS news was doing a segment on them and they wanted a user testimonial and we agreed to be one. Truly, I love that app. If you have a smartphone, download the iTriage app. if you don't have one (and I did not until last October), drink the kool-aid and get one. To have this much information at your fingertips and set out in a way that is user friendly, is totally worth the price of admission!

The segment will air not sooner than Tuesday, June 19 but could be delayed for various reasons. It is the evening news, meaning 5:30 Central (6:30 Eastern, sorry I don't know how that converts to other time zones!) CBS national news. Where, incidentally, you will learn my name is not really Lady Kett nor Tywla as it is on Facebook.

Speaking of Facebook, I am not mentioning it there because I do work in Corporate HR and I created my Facebook account in my RenFaire persona. I would very much prefer (please help!) to keep those two identites separate. I do not trust my employer because I know what HR looks for on Facebook, and I do not want them in my RenFaire life! I keep my professional life on LinkedIn. So please, on the assumption it is even possible, DO NOT TAG ME on the Facebook front if there is anything online to tag. However, iTriage has a Facebook page, and you should TOTALLY go "like" it!

And in the meantime, download the iTriage app - it's available on both iPhone's and Android's and it's FREE! Please! [No I am not being paid by anyone for this!]

PS Sidekick is doing great and is expected to be released from outpatient rehab next month.

And thank you to all of you here on R/F - because whether you know it or not, you helped me get through the past 2 months WITHOUT losing my mind. Much love to you all!

Lady Kett, aka Melissa, as you may soon learn!

[Gauwyn of Bracknell]

That is a great story ( except for Sidekick having the stroke and all). Thanks for the info.

[iain robb]

Glad everything worked out -- and that you had that app. I'm downloading it now.

Tell Sidekick we wish him a speedy and full recovery.

[DonaCatalina]

I'm sending this to my daughter right now.

[Merlin the Elder]

If someone can record this, I'd be beholding! We do not get TV! (Yes, REALLY!) ...since 1997 or so.  We watch NetFlix streaming and DVDs, but I cannot get signal where I am, and will NOT pay for cable that gives you 2 channels you watch, and 100 you don't, for outrageous prices!  ...satellite is even worse.

As you pointed out, Kett, some of us maintain a separate life in RennieLand. While some know my real identity, I also do not want too much exposed.

[Lady Kett]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57553887/an-app-that-can-save-lives/

Here is our 15 minutes of fame, lol. I had about given up that it would ever air. And I am glad I have lost 22 pounds since that interview!

[Merlin the Elder]

You did great!  I want an autograph! 

[Norfolk]

VERY well done, LK!  And that applies to both the video AND saving Sidekick's bacon.