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Ok, this is no fish story, but it is hard to believe unless you have faith as strong as Cathy and Tom's. I can't tell you how grateful we are to have Tom here with us, and if it weren't for his guardian angels--heavenly and earthly--the story might be different. Tom was on his way back from Charleston, SC after another long trip away from Cathy when suddenly his heart stopped. Tom was at the kiosk at the airport when he felt faint, and he fell to the ground. His heart valve had failed, and he immediately went into cardiac arrest.
The outcome could have been devastating if it weren't for the fact that an EMT was standing right next to him at the other kiosk. This EMT had not planned to come into the airport because he was dropping off his wife and kids, but at the last moment, he decided he would park the car and come in with them. That decision, that innocent decision to listen to the whisper to go into the airport saved Tom's life. The EMT immediately starting performing CPR while someone else called 911. Tom's heart had stopped, and the EMT brought Tom back to life. Tom was also fortunate that there was a defibrillator nearby, which someone quickly brought to the EMT. Within minutes, the paramedics arrived because they happened to be near the airport when they were dispatched. They had to use the AED twice on Tom to get his heart started again, and the AED was used yet again in the emergency room to regulate Tom's heartbeat.
The EMT broke four of Tom's ribs in the process of performing CPR. Tom was subsequently rushed to the hospital where the doctors were able to stabilize him. Tom had surgery to replace his faulty heart valve, and he is expected to make a full recovery with no long-term damage. There is no doubt if anything changed in the sequence of events, the outcome might have been different.
We are all so thankful for the angels who watched over our friend, and as Tom pointed out, it is the Glory of God that shines in all of this. With all of the good news, there are still some realities and that is the medical cost. This GO-FUND-ME campaign is being set-up to help Tom and Cathy offset some of their out-of-pocket expenses. They very much appreciate whatever amount you can give. Twenty dollars goes a long way when a lot of people give $20.00.
Cathy and Tom have touched so many people's lives through the years. and this is an opportunity for us to give back to them, even if in a small way. I know they appreciate it, and they send their love to everyone. As is often said at Life Teen Mass where Tom and Cathy have been staples for years," GOD IS GOOD--ALL THE TIME."
The outcome could have been devastating if it weren't for the fact that an EMT was standing right next to him at the other kiosk. This EMT had not planned to come into the airport because he was dropping off his wife and kids, but at the last moment, he decided he would park the car and come in with them. That decision, that innocent decision to listen to the whisper to go into the airport saved Tom's life. The EMT immediately starting performing CPR while someone else called 911. Tom's heart had stopped, and the EMT brought Tom back to life. Tom was also fortunate that there was a defibrillator nearby, which someone quickly brought to the EMT. Within minutes, the paramedics arrived because they happened to be near the airport when they were dispatched. They had to use the AED twice on Tom to get his heart started again, and the AED was used yet again in the emergency room to regulate Tom's heartbeat.
The EMT broke four of Tom's ribs in the process of performing CPR. Tom was subsequently rushed to the hospital where the doctors were able to stabilize him. Tom had surgery to replace his faulty heart valve, and he is expected to make a full recovery with no long-term damage. There is no doubt if anything changed in the sequence of events, the outcome might have been different.
We are all so thankful for the angels who watched over our friend, and as Tom pointed out, it is the Glory of God that shines in all of this. With all of the good news, there are still some realities and that is the medical cost. This GO-FUND-ME campaign is being set-up to help Tom and Cathy offset some of their out-of-pocket expenses. They very much appreciate whatever amount you can give. Twenty dollars goes a long way when a lot of people give $20.00.
Cathy and Tom have touched so many people's lives through the years. and this is an opportunity for us to give back to them, even if in a small way. I know they appreciate it, and they send their love to everyone. As is often said at Life Teen Mass where Tom and Cathy have been staples for years," GOD IS GOOD--ALL THE TIME."