Cardiac Arrest ICU Patient, Andrus Pavilion
The only thing I knew about St. John’s before this issue was that my daughter Zoe was born there. In the evening of Labor Day 2024, Zoe dropped by to see me. The next day, during a FaceTime conversation with her, suddenly I passed out. Zoe promptly had the police do a well-being check, and since I was just down the street from St. John’s the ambulance took me to be hospitalized there.
After more than a month of intubation, I woke in October cared for in the ICU from cardiac arrest. My visit was truly life or death—and thanks to the nurses and doctors at St. John’s, I survived. My prognosis was not good when I arrived, but they did everything they could to save me. When I was sufficiently recovered, they got me on my feet again.
Though I spent most of my time at the hospital in a haze, I know how great the care was because of how I was brought back from cardiac arrest. From the ER to the aides, to the nurses, to the doctors, each interaction was phenomenal. Beyond excellent care they answered my questions and treated my family and I with respect even when I could no longer manage my own body.
St. John’s Riverside Hospital is the place that rescued me. I am so grateful to have such an excellent hospital in my neighborhood.