Heroes come in all shapes and sizes

I have to update the blog tonight.  My heart is so full with love and gratitude for the angel nurse who saved my life 3 weeks ago.  The last concert at Bountiful Park was tonight, we decided to go because we had nothing to do, and honestly wanted to try to find the nurse who started compressions when I blacked out at the Peter Breinholt concert.  I've shared some accounts from other people, she emailed me hers tonight.  I know she won't mind if I share it here because it seriously was another manifestation of the love God has for me, another miracle to be grateful for.  Not my time to go!

August 26, 2022

I attended the Peter Breinholt concert at the Bountiful City Park on August 5, 2022. It had started to rain at the end of the concert when Peter Breinholt played 2 encore numbers. I was sitting directly behind Kim Ulmer, and had observed her throughout the concert. During the final encore number she and her husband were dancing and jumping up and down to the music. I snapped a photo prior to her sitting down at 8:40 p.m. It was brought to my attention by someone in the family that something was wrong with Kim. Kim was slumped over in her lawn chair. Kim was unresponsive. I called for help. Her husband called 911 @ 8:41 p.m. I called for help getting Kim out of her chair onto the ground. Once Kim was on the ground, I could not get a carotid pulse. Kim was agonal gasping/breathing. She was still unresponsive. I started chest compressions immediately. Kim’s eyes were rolled back, she was cyanotic, & diaphoretic. A young man was at her head ensuring her airway was open. Chest compressions continued. A young man called out that he knew CPR & asked if he could help. While he continued chest compressions I monitored Kim’s radial pulse and her unresponsiveness. After a few minutes of chest compressions I called out, “I’ve got a radial pulse.” At that moment, Kim opened her eyes, took a very deep breath, and started to come to. Chest compressions were stopped. I was talking to Kim, “Kim, you’re going to make it, stay with us Kim, you’re doing great, the paramedics are on their way.” The Bountiful paramedics arrived, and Kim was responding, and breathing on her own with normal inspiration and expiration.

This is a video she sent me to explain how I was breathing.  Or wasn't breathing.  

She said she had considered heading for the car when the rain started, but didn't.  Just after that is when I needed her most.  Coincidence?  I don't think so. Celestia was ready in a split second to help me.  There were others in the crowd that could have helped me as well, as others saw what was happening and came to help her.  But she was right there, right behind me, and only one minute or less passed between when I blacked out and when she started compressions.  Remarkable.  Miraculous. We will be friends forever, tied by this series of unexpected events that changed us both. 

I've been reading about agonal breathing this morning. I didn't have a heart attack, I had sudden cardiac arrest. A heart attack is a blockage in the vessels in the heart. Sudden cardiac arrest is an electrical problem. Only 7% of people who have sudden cardiac arrest survive because bystanders don't realize the gasping for air isn't breathing! Knowing that makes all of this that much more amazing!

That's all for tonight.  It's late and I should try to sleep.  Count your blessings friends!  Love you all!