Lights Out

June 24^th was my 28^th anniversary.  Jenn and I did not have anything too special planned.  We went to our favorite restaurant for lunch, and then we ran errands.  Specifically, we went to Michaels to peruse art supplies and then PetSmart to buy a dog bed.  We just like hanging out.  It’s our thing.

The dog beds were right down the first aisle.  When we stopped to look, I felt a little lightheaded.  I told Jenn I was dizzy, and I was going to go rest in the car.  I headed for the door but then got disoriented.  I could no longer orient myself with my immediate environment.  For some reason, I kept going until I blacked out.  I completely lost consciousness.

Jenn finished looking at the beds and was about to leave.  She heard some commotion in the back of the store.  When she looked, she saw me laying on the floor, blood pouring out of my head with a woman (Olivia) giving me CPR.  She rushed to my side.

At that point, I had completely stopped breathing.  I turned dark blue.  My body started to convulse.  Jenn and Olivia managed to move me to my side, and I let out a huge gasp of air.  Then Olivia started having an asthma attack.  Jenn took over CPR.  At some point, the paramedics arrived and took over.

Jenn rode in the front.  I apparently became combative with the paramedics, and they had to restrain me.  They told Jenn this was not uncommon.  They took me to our local hospital and began a battery of tests.  It was then that I began to regain consciousness.  They began peppering me with questions, all of which I understood, but none of which I could answer.  What day is today?  Month?  Who is the president?  They kept going until apparently they asked one I knew.  Who is your wife?  JENN!!!

Just a side note, if you forget your partner’s name on your anniversary, you’re in deep trouble.

I faded in and out.  They put 7 staples in my scalp.  That hurt!  Next thing I knew, Jenn and my son Ethan were at my side.  Something had gone wrong with my heart…possibly a stroke too.  It was a weird sensation, being aware but not fully.  As they were asking me questions, I understood what they were asking, but had no clue what the answer was.  Not sure if one hemisphere started up before the other.  I understood language; I did not know all the facts.

The pastors from my church arrived separately and prayed for me.  About the same time my brain started coming back online.  Shortly thereafter, the gravity of the situation hit me.  I had almost died.  My heart and breathing stopped.  Were it not for CPR, that would have been it.  After the pastors left, I started sobbing uncontrollably.  I am sure this was very upsetting for Ethan and Jenn.

The ER doctor informed me that, in addition to the cardiac arrest, I had 3 broken ribs and at some point in the past, I had fractured a vertebrae.  Who knew?

As the test results came in, it became clear that I had not had a heart attack (a plumbing issue).  I had a cardiac arrest (an electrical issue).  I was moved to intensive care for monitoring and further testing.

Day 2 they did a cardiac catheterization, to look for any near blockages.  Overall, my heart plumbing was not too bad (for a guy my size and overall health). 

The doctor said they still did not know the precise reason for the electrical failure.  They could do one more test.  But I would have to be moved to another hospital.  Regardless, I needed a defibrillator put in.  Since the test would not necessarily be conclusive and the outcome would be the same, I chose to move forward with having the defibrillator installed.  As an added bonus, it also included a pacemaker, but not the pocket fisherman. 

The surgery was pretty routine.  I got out of the hospital on Friday.

What a whirlwind.  There is a lot to unpack.  But thank God, I am alive.