Young 30y.o. Veteran Suffers Massive Heart Attack

“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord.”

The future is unknown as we fight with time. No answers are given. We walk as a family with hands held tight, waiting for answers from the doctors. Praying we are one step closer to recovery. We ask for financial assistance and prayers for Gage Elliott, a 30-year-old Veteran who is currently fighting for his life in ICU.

It all started in the beginning of December, 2022 when a lingering cold turned into something more life threatening. Gage took over-the-counter medication to help clear the cold, which helped and later improved. December 6th, later in the afternoon Gage complained of having chest pain and all of the sudden felt lightheaded. This would all happen spontaneously but with time, it improved.

The cycle continued for hours. I knew it was something more serious, so with encouragement, he went to the emergency room. When he was admitted, Gage’s heart rate was 160 (normal heart rate: 60-100) with a blood pressure of 95/64 (normal blood pressure: 120/80). He was given a couple of medications that increased his BP and lowered his HR. After a couple of hours, no progress was made.

Gage was given two options. Option 1: to be monitored overnight. Option 2: to be cardioverted (shock to the heart to help restore a regular heart rhythm). He took option 2 with the hopes that all this pain would go away, but it didn’t. He was kept overnight because of no progress. Around 6 am, he was shocked a second time. Only this time, he was PULSELESS. From December 6-7, he was shocked a total of 3 times, with two incidences of Gage losing his pulse. The medical team acted fast and decided to intubate him, and he was Care Flighted to Ross Heart Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, in the ICU.

With no history of any heart conditions, the cause of this event leads the medical team to run every test possible. Thursday, December 8th Gage coded at 9:30 pm. Gage was pulseless for a total of 8 minutes. Every possible intervention was made to bring him back. After 4 minutes, the pastor came in, and the family was called. Miraculously, after 8 minutes, Gage's pulse came back. At 3:30 am, doctors decided it was best to send Gage to get a CT scan (x-ray to obtain internal images of the body) despite his critical condition. The words from the doctor, “This is the best thing possible right now, but there is a risk that Gage may not make it. He can either code on the way down or in the CT scan.” Time felt like it was being robbed.

Friday, December 9th, labs came back with horrific news. Gage was on high alert for being septic (bacteria in the blood) and had metabolic acidosis (blood was too acidic). Gage's kidneys were starting to fail. He was put on dialysis (filters the blood because the kidneys can no longer function). He also had a rare reaction to a medication to Propofol (sedation drug) which was Propofol Infusion Syndrome. Gage was on the highest dose of Propofol from December 6th through December 9th. Gage underwent a myocardial biopsy. A biopsy showed his the right side of the heart was failing.

Saturday, December 10th, Doctors changed his sedation medication. Around 4:45 am, his heart rate jumped to 180. A team of 8-10 rushed in and was given two different types of medication to help, but it didn’t work. The doctor made a decision that he needed to be shocked.

Throughout December 11th, his heart increased from 125>. It was recommended that if his heart rate reached 150, he would be shocked. December 12th, the medical team decided it was time to talk about what comes next: a Heart transplant, Kidney transplant, and a possibility of an ECMO. Later that day, Gage’s heart rate spiked to 174, and he was shocked a total of 3 times.

A total of 8 times of being shocked, and three being pulseless. Gage has/is being treated for everything due to the unknown cause of this heart rhythm. He went through Ventricular Tachycardia, Atrial Fibrillation, Myocarditis, and Cardiomyopathy.

In just 7 short days that felt like forever: A mother (Kelly Longbrake) begging for answers that her oldest son walks out alive; 2 younger brothers (Zach and Justin Kerns) needing their older brother for every “big brother advice” and role model; and I (girlfriend/ Jennifer Coffman) begging and praying I get to hold him, laugh, and share more memories, ask for every possible prayer and financial support throughout this. If not, all we ask for is your prayers and a simple share.