| Donna A. Giles |
|
|
|
|
Simply A Miracle
Everyday we are faced with challenges that we must overcome, but are we really ready to face death? I was definitely not! I was a normal lively and energetic 25-year-old girl driving down the busy streets of Houston Texas when my life almost came to a quick end. On March 18th, 1998 I was faced with the unexpected. I went to an interview for a job and had a brief syncopal episode, awoke and then went into cardiac arrest. Fortunately for me, the two women who were with me knew CPR and were able to keep oxygen flowing into my body until the ambulance arrived. Twenty-two minutes later the paramedics arrived- I was completely flat-lined. They used the defibrillator paddles twice, but nothing happened. Once I arrived at the emergency room and doctors read my vitals, they said I had less than a 1% chance of surviving the night. If I did survive by some miracle I would be completely brain dead. My entire family and friends who had driven and flown from all areas of the world were told to “say their good-byes”. They new it was bad, but never in a million years did they think I would die. After all, I had just been in Austin celebrating St. Patrick’s Day the night before this tragedy occurred. How could this be happening? After 4 long days in a coma and to everyone’s surprise, I slowly began to regain consciousness. My memory of everything was a complete blur when I slowly awoke. I was scared, tired, weak and very confused. I had never broken a bone in my body before and now I am lying in a hospital bed fighting for my life? I didn’t understand. I am only 25 years old. Why me? Doctors began running a wide variety of test to figure out why this happened to such a young athletic girl. As it turned out I had been diagnosed with a rare disease now known as Long QT Syndrome. This syndrome is known to cause syncope (fainting spells) and in my case, sudden cardiac arrest. After my body regained some strength, doctors told me about the disease and that they wanted to implant a device in my chest that would help monitor my heart rhythms and keep them stable. All I could do was cry. I was still heavily medicated and very confused. Once I understood what was happening, I knew it was in my best interest to have the surgery. Friends and family all agreed. So off I went. The surgery was a success, but the recovery was painful. I was still very confused and my memory had for the most part been destroyed. Doctors were sure I would not regain my memory. Again to their surprise, it came back gradually. Of course I do not remember the four days I was in a coma, but for the most part it has been restored completely. After a few months of painful recovery, I began trying to get my life “normal again”. I also began to understand the disease more and accept my condition as “ok”. It was very hard and scary in the beginning to have such a large devise in my chest, but I soon realized how lucky I was to be alive and have the device. From that moment on I have called my device “my trophy”. I am now 30 years old and more alive than ever! Thanks to my wonderful doctors and excellent technology, I am living a perfectly normal life doing all the things I love. Since my first implant I have had no complications. I had my device changed this past December and everything is still perfect! I realized early on after the surgery that you have to live your life to the fullest each and every day. There is no time to feel sorry for your self, only time to make each second count. Miracles do happen…always remember that! Donna A. Giles |
