Sudden Cardiac Arrest April 3,  2017  5:36pm EST

On July 19, 2016 I survived a sudden cardiac arrest.  I had an appointment with my electrophysiologist, and stopped for an errand nearby his office, 75 miles from my house.  I woke up several days later in the ICU.  I have no memory of about an hour before the event.  I had checked in at the window and chatted with the receptionist, and sat down in the waiting room.  Immediately after sitting down, a waiting patient went up to the window and alerted the staff there was something wrong with me.  Staff came out and I was seizing, pulseless, blue, and not breathing.  The electrophysiologist immediately began CPR.  I was in full arrest with no heart activity.  I had a pacemaker to correct a slow heartbeat for just over a year.  The interrogation revealed I had gone from vtach to vfib to flatline very quickly.  The AED would not shock my heart with no electrical activity.  Rescue arrived, the dr. continued CPR, and after 10 minutes I went into ventricular fibrillation.  4-5 shocks and continued CPR for another 10 minutes, and I had a heartbeat.  After many tears and emotions from the doctor's office, thinking they would never see me again (I've been going to my EP for 16 years), the office got a call from the ER saying I was speaking.  I was discharged after a week with a Zoll life vest.  In late September I received an ICD.  It has been deemed a hereditary electrical issue (my mom's brother died suddenly of an arrhythmia).  I have no other heart disease--just electrical. Thanks to immediate CPR, I have no organ damage.  This event has changed me in ways I can't explain.  The event was peaceful.  I am grateful for every day.  I still have a difficult time accepting that this really happened, as I have no real memory of being in the hospital.  5 broken ribs were the most painful part of recovery.  My dr. reminds me I now have 2 birthdays. I stay in touch with fire rescue that responded to my arrest, and actually knew the rescue lieutenant.  There was no recognition on scene as I was 75 miles from my home!  I went to their award ceremony at the city commission meeting.  Friends have been invaluable during my recovery.  I stay busy with work and volunteering in my community.  There is a purpose for me to still be here.