I was at work one night when a coworker came to my cubicle.  He then ran into the computer room, and told them I "looked funny."  I imagine I did: I had no heart beat, and wasn't breathing. I was very lucky that my fellow workers were able to start CPR and call 911 right away. I was brought back to life four times that night.  I spent 14 days in the hospital, another 7 in a nursing home.  It wasn't a nursing home for people expected to recover, as nearly as I can tell, but the home of many medicaid patients.  I was told I was unusual because I was so young (52), there for my heart, and didn't have family issues or homelessness to cope with.  The physical therapy was laughable.

Thanks everyone for having the Sean O'Hara golf tournament in memory of Sean's birthday.  He is a very special young man who is very missed.

The following letter from the SCA Foundation was published in The New York Times, Tuesday, July 1, 2008.

To the Editor:

The following letter was published in The New York Times, Tuesday, July 1, 2008.

To the Editor:

Re: From a Prominent Death, Some Painful Truths,” (June 24) 

The day that Tim Russert died, about 500 others suffered sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and most victims died. The 30 or so who survived know they are alive and well today because Good Samaritans at the scene called 911, gave cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and used an automated external defibrillator (AED)—within minutes of their collapse.

Tim’s death may not have been preventable, given his extensive underlying coronary artery disease. But for hundreds of thousands of people who suffer SCA each year in the U.S., death does not have to be a permanent condition. The victim can be brought back to life if someone at the scene takes action. Perhaps the best way to honor Tim’s legacy is to learn CPR and how to use an AED.