Heart 2 Heart Help Support Kristi

On November 29th our lives were engulfed in fear as we learned that Kristi was rushed to the hospital and fighting death.

That morning Kristi walked into work to start the day, put her keys and coffee down and then fell face first to the ground. Terry, a coworker who just started this week, called 911 right away and another coworker, Lauren rushed over to turn her over (she was already blue). Lauren started CPR while Terry was on the phone. Paramedics showed up 5 minutes later & had to shock Kristi 3 times in the office and then rushed her to the hospital, shocking her once more in the ambulance to get a heart beat.

(It was definitely a team effort that kept Kristi alive and a special THANK YOU to that team. We thank God, Kristi made it into work that day).

Doctors at Presence Mercy Medical Center worked fast for answers, while family and friends worried, cried and prayed.

Doctors found a major blockage in her lad (main artery of her heart). They put in an aortic balloon pump (machine that basically pumps blood into and pulls blood out of the heart, allowing it to rest.) Taking into account the CPR and shocks, the doctors decided the best course is to let her heart rest a few days before they move forward with open heart surgery. The doctors were concerned not knowing exactly how long her heart was not beating, that there may be a chance she suffered brain damage.

The next morning the doctors started reducing sedation to see if Kristi was responsive and could be removed from the breathing machine. Prayers answered and hearts relieved, Kristi was responsive, knew the people around her and wanted the breathing tube out.

Still confused and unaware of what she had just been through, she faces a long road ahead.

Sammie and Kristi's wedding was scheduled for December 10th but has now been postponed.

We are completely blessed to have Kristi still part of our lives. I am asking everyone who loves her and Sammie to donate to their fund to help relieve some of the financial stress that is ahead with doctor bills, days off work and possible wedding cancellation fees.

Keep praying! Kristi keep fighting! We love you!