On December 11, 2008, my husband suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. We were blessed to have two women at the church who were both certified in CPR. Unfortnately, they were unable to prevent an anoxic brain injury. So, in a word, life after cardiac arrest is DIFFICULT.
I joined SCA Foundation a few months ago after it was recommended to me by a friend from Pittsburgh. At the time, I was tempted to start my blog. I didn't. Instead, I put it off.
Fr. Anthony was 49 years old and a very active, energetic and dedicated member of the Orthodox Christian Clergy. I imagine that the event was quite traumatic for the parishioners who witnessed the arrest as they were all senior citizens. In fact there were seniors from throughout the central Pennsylvania region. Fr. Anthony was not treated with hypothermia and transferring him to another facility was not an option. I had called a neurosurgeon that I knew from Cleveland and he advised me to leave my husband where he was unless advised to move him by medical personnel because, "If anything happens to hm in transit, you'll never forgive yourself."
Now, almost 2-1/2 years have passed and I occasionally find myself second guessing myself. I wonder if I hindered the efforts of the first responders. I wonder if I should have refused to have a tracheotomy performed. And, I wonder how I was so steadfast in my faith in the midst of what, scientifically, should have been my husband's demise.
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