My second storm

“My breathing was becoming heavier, and harder, and I suddenly realised I was getting into serious trouble,” Mr McKean said. “When the paramedics arrived I could barely tell them where I was.”

The South Yarra resident was treated at The Alfred in 2010, when similar weather conditions left scores of Victorians in need of medical support.  On that occasion, his asthma symptoms came on quickly. 

“This time, the changes built up gradually and I kept thinking I wasn’t as bad as last time.  It turned out I was far worse.”

The Alfred’s head of respiratory medicine, Prof Matthew Naughton was part of the hospital's medical response to 'thunderstorm asthma' and said he is proud of the way the emergency, respiratory and general medicine teams lifted on Monday night.

“We all worked together and it was beautiful,” Prof Naughton said.  “It was really lovely to see the hospital ramping it up for a medical emergency.

“When I first saw Bill lying in our intensive care unit he was very sick.  The medication, which can take six to 12 hours to perform, was yet to take hold and he was struggling to live. 

“Mother nature had served him a lethal dose of asthma but, by mid-morning, he began to improve.  By the afternoon, he was on the road to recovery.”

Mr McKean said he never imagined he would get to such a critical condition – requiring close to 24-hours in an induced coma.

“We were told it was going to be a hot day and there would be a storm that night, but I didn’t stop and think this could be dangerous for me," Mr McKean said.

 “I thought I could control the symptoms with my medication, and maybe I held on too long before seeking help.

“The care I received at The Alfred was unbelievable and I get emotional when I think about what so many people, like me, experienced that night.

“When something like this happens you can’t help but appreciate yourself a bit more,” Mr McKean said.  “It's not that I'm afraid of dying. I'm just afraid of dying now.”