Posted by patriciaharris on 10/24/2012
Survivor Patricia Harris
Survivor Patricia Harris

My story begins on April 1, 2010. I had spent the day with my grandaughter.

We had gone to the movies and out to lunch and had a nice day. That afternoon, right after my daughter left with my granddaughter, I started feeling dizzy and short of breath.

I called my husband and told him I needed to see a doctor. He happened to be right around the corner and was there to pick me up in minutes. He took me to Alamance Hospital. He said I walked in the door and told the receptionist that I was going to pass out but I do not remember going to the hospital. They got me a wheelchair and took me back while my husband moved the car. When he came back in they took him to a room and soon the chaplain can in.

I had had a massive heart attack and was unresponsive. They were doing CPR and had to shock me 9 times. When they had a heartbeat they life flighted be to Duke Hospital. I had had a 100% occlusion of the LAD artery. I had had the widow maker.

I was in cardiogenic shock. In the cath lab they put in a stent and a heart pump and sent me to CCU where I remained in an induced coma for 7 days. They cooled my body to 89 degrees.

I had several other problems throughout the week, but I woke up on the 7th day, praise God.

I still have trouble believing this happened to me, but it changed my life style for the better.
I quit smoking and try to eat better and get more exercise. I am so glad I'm still here!

-Patricia Harris

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