Man revived after heart attack (5/9/03)

On Easter Sunday, April 20, 2003, I collapsed at 7:40 a.m. while visiting my wife’s relatives (Joe and Anita Hall) in Portland. My wife, Maxine (Hall) Spahr, called 911 and within minutes (Jay County emergency medical technicians) Bob Lamb and Mike Weesner responsed. When they arrived my heart stopped and I went into what has been diagnosed as Cardiac Sudden Death.

Because of their quick response they were able to apply defibrillator paddles to restart my heart and perform CPR. I was taken to Jay County Hospital, and thanks to the staff in the emergency room I was stabilized and transferred to Ball Memorial Hospital.

I spent a week at Ball Memorial and after having an ICD implanted, my wife was able to drive me home to Pittsburgh. All tests show no coronary heart disease, no heart damage and no clogged arteries.

Since living in Pittsburgh for the past 42 years, we sometimes questioned if small town hospitals were adequate, but I owe my life to Jay Emergency Medical Service and Jay County Hospital.

I was born in Portland and for a brief period I died in Portland. My family and I send our deepest gratitude to all who helped me survive.

Gary L. Spahr

Pittsburgh, Pa.

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