As time ticked by, Robert had a tight window to travel across the country for life-saving surgery.
For Robert Wendl and his wife Katerina, life in the remote NT community of Borroloola, 1,000km southeast of Darwin, offers peace, solitude and a deep sense of purpose.
But isolation also means medical emergencies can quickly become life-or-death situations, as Robert discovered one morning in July 2024.
“I was woken up by this incredible pain. I couldn’t breathe or at least that’s how it felt,” Robert said.
“I tried to convince myself I was fine, but Katerina insisted on taking me to the local Borroloola clinic.
“They took x-rays and tests and it became clear that something was serious. I was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital and was told I needed another urgent flight. That’s when they rang the Royal Flying Doctor Service.”
Robert was suffering an aortic dissection – a rare and often deadly condition that occurs when there is a tear in the wall of the aorta (the body’s main artery), compromising blood flow to the heart and vital organs.
In a race against time, Robert now needed life-saving surgery – and the closest city with the specialist team and facilities available to respond to Robert’s condition was Adelaide – almost 3,000 kilometres away.
The RFDS PC-24 aeromedical jet, a high-speed aircraft, was the fastest way to get Robert to Adelaide. With the aircraft flying at a high altitude of 45,000 feet to expedite care, managing his blood pressure and heart rate was a delicate task.
RFDS Critical Care Doctor Dr Yasmin Endlich knew just how high the stakes were.
When I hear ‘aortic dissection’, the main thing that comes to mind is that the risk of dying increases every minute.
Dr Yasmin Endlich, Critical Care Doctor“Flying at altitude, with the pressure changes and speed of the aircraft, presents unique challenges. If the heart pumps fast and hard, then the risk of the aorta rupturing and the patient dying on the spot is extremely high.
“The key was to keep Robert’s systolic blood pressure at exactly 100 – no more, no less – which required two infusions and constant monitoring to keep him stable.”
RFDS Flight Nurse Chris Green accompanied Dr Yasmin, assisting with the difficult task of adjusting Robert’s medications during the four-hour flight.
“Blood pressure and heart rate fluctuate with altitude changes – on take-off, a person’s blood pressure drops and then it spikes on landing,” Chris said.
“We had to carefully adjust Robert’s medications to keep him at life-sustaining levels all the way to Adelaide.
Despite the pain and uncertainty, Robert was incredibly calm during the flight. With the care we were able to provide and the speed of the jet, he had a fighting chance.
Chris Green, Flight Nurse
Following the tense flight, Robert arrived in Adelaide and was rushed straight into surgery at Flinders Medical Centre.
A larger-than-life character, Robert had tried to make light of the whole situation to this point. But minutes from his open-heart surgery, he was finally overcome with emotion.
“At first, I was kind of resolved. I was telling myself, ‘If I don’t make it, I had a good life’,” Robert said.
“But then, the surgeon asked me a question that still gets me emotional today. He asked me if I had spoken to my wife and my son. That really hit me.
“All I could tell them was that I was in good hands.”
Robert’s surgery lasted 10 hours, but it was ultimately successful.
Waking up to Katerina by my side was the most emotional moment of my life. My son also flew back from Europe to Australia to be with me and that meant the world.
Robert Wendl“At first, it took me half an hour to walk a kilometre. It was extremely strenuous to do anything," Robert said.
"But that also helped in my recovery – just being there with my family.”
Following weeks of recovery in Adelaide and Darwin, Robert returned to Borroloola, where he has continued his work leading the Mabunji Aboriginal Resource Indigenous Corporation.
The organisation provides essential services to the local community, from aged care to childcare, and is the largest employer in the region.
During his ordeal, Robert felt immense support from the Borroloola community.
“For three years, we’ve been extremely fortunate to live and work here. Working alongside Traditional Owners in very remote Australia has provided a completely different perspective of what impact we can make in life,” Robert said.
“When I was in hospital and being airlifted, the people here were singing for me, praying for me.
“When I survived this thing, you know, people asked me, ‘Are you done?’
“Without a second thought, I said, ‘I’m not going anywhere.’ I love it here, and I’m proud to call it home.”
Robert’s life-saving journey from the clinic in Borroloola to the operating table in Adelaide highlights the critical importance of emergency aeromedical services in remote Australia.
His survival story has made him a passionate advocate for the RFDS and the essential role they play in remote communities.
“When I spoke to the nurse back in Borroloola, who has worked in cardiology for years, she told me I was only the third person she knew in her career to survive an aortic dissection.
“With Dr Yasmin and Flight Nurse Chris, I knew that everything was under control. I knew everything was being done to keep me alive with the utmost professionalism and commitment with a special aircraft to help get me there on time.
“You kind of go, ‘This is incredible – I can’t believe it.’”
Learn more about the Flying Doctor.
