TWO YEARS TODAY SINCE MY CARDIAC ARRESTS

[goldey]

I am female, age 72. Two years ago tonight I had to call an ambulance because I was woken up by great difficulty breathing, sharp pain between my shoulder blades, and that "feeling of doom" that people talk about. I had a few little warning breathing problems while laying down in the previous couple months, but as soon as I sat up it would stop, so I didn't take it seriously. But this time, it did not stop when I sat up. I called an ambulance, and was taken to Toronto's top trauma hospital, which was about 15 minutes away. I was ok, and was not having any problems. They put me into the ER. Within about a half hour I suddenly could not breathe at all, I bolted up in bed and yelled HELP ME HELP ME. I passed out and woke up with people all around my bed. The rest is a bit fuzzy. Turns out I had 4 full cardiac arrests that night, but fortunately I was in the ER when it happened. (If I hadn't been in the ER when they happened, that would have been the end of me.) After the 4th one I guess they said "well, that's enough of that" and they put in a temporary pacemaker. Two days later they put in a permanent pacemaker & ICD, I was in ICU for 3-4 days, then moved into a room with 3 other people. I got great care and did quite well. After a week they said that if I could walk down the hallway and back they would let me come home. I honestly don't remember 85% of my time there. I only remember receiving 3 meals and talking to a couple doctors. I must have slept pretty much the whole time. I was told I had AFib and heart failure and put on 4 meds. These 2 years have been a struggle, as I have very little energy and cannot do much. But I have a good business on the internet and have been able to get by. I am SO incredibly grateful to the kind people who saved my life and continue to help me. Now I am eligible for full home medical care. BTW, since I am in Canada, all of this was totally free to me, except for the $45 for the ambulance ride. I am very comforted by my pacemaker, and do not worry about having any more arrests. I had a lot of AFib episodes at the beginning, but seldom have them now, and never feel them. I have been very blessed, and wanted to share with you!

[BobD Volunteer]

As a fellow survivor all I can say is well done. Mine also occured in hospital during some tests and resulted in several broken ribs thanks to a fit young doctor who performed CPR for nearly four minutes. I spent eight days in hospital swigging oral morphine before being sent to a different hospital for an angiogram which showed no damage to the heart so the arrest was a bit of a mystery. That was Feb 2017 . I'm a few years older than you but I'm still building race car engines.

[jeanjeannie50]

That's some story Goldey! It sounds like you have made the best of your life since your heart attacks and thank goodness you had such good medical care. It's a strange anniversary for you.

Wishing you well.

Jean

[willec49]

That's a hair-raising story but I am happy that it turned out well for you. It's good that you called the ambulance when you did and called out for help. God bless you as you continue on in your obviously productive life.

[irene75359]

Love your positive attitude, and found your experience so interesting. Yes, lucky you were in hospital! Take care of your yourself.