Cardiac arrest survivor Deb Kummer (pictured in center) was surrounded by her lifesaving team during the Cardiac Arrest Survivor - Team Recognition Event at Hurley Medical Center.
GENESEE COUNTY -- Cardiac arrest patients had the chance to meet the people who saved their lives during a special event at Hurley Medical Center.
It was all part of the Cardiac Arrest Survivor - Team Recognition Event, a project spearheaded by Dr. Ryan Reece, M.D., FACEP, who has been an emergency physician at the hospital for about six years now.
Reece said this is the second time he's held the event but that he hopes it continues to grow.
"Having patients talk about their medical event can be healing, maybe not for everyone, but being able to share their story can helpful," said Reece.
Reece added that helping build a community for cardiac arrest patients to talk about their experience is important too.
"Patients need to find people you can share the experience with," said Reece. "Nobody will understand a cardiac arrest event the same way a person who was revived from it. They are the only ones who have that lived experience."
Deb Kummer was just one of the patients that was able to speak about her case, which took place back in May.
She explained she experienced intense shoulder pain woke her up around 2:30 a.m., and said she believes God woke her up.
"I had no symptoms, I had shoulder pain, but why would I call EMS for that?" said Kummer.
Her husband recalls Kummer being taken out to the ambulance by Tallen Griffith and Krystal Williams, just two members of Kummer's lifesaving team.
Kummer said she went into arrest three times before being totally revived. She woke up four days later with her memory still intact.
"I cried when I saw my name on the screen, it's by the grace of God that I am still standing here," said Kummer.
Griffith said being able to help Kummer was an amazing experience and that she and her partner sprang into action.
While not a patient, Steven McCory with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office talked about what he did to save one Clayton Township mother's life earlier this spring.
McCory said that once he and an off-duty lieutenant arrived on scene, the woman wasn't breathing and had no pulse and that they quickly got to work to help her.
He added it took three shocks to revive the woman, and that she was able to breathe on her own by the time the ambulance had reached the hospital.
He adds it isn't uncommon for him to respond to cardiac arrest calls, this particular call tugged at his emotions.
"I have kids, so I can only imagine what was going through their heads when they saw that happen," said McCory. "I am happy and grateful to hear that she made a full recovery."
Flushing Township Police Officer Brian Farlin and Deputy Roy were also recognized for their lifesaving efforts following a call in early March. Farlin was called to a Flushing Township for an unrelated call, but observed the resident he was speaking with didn't look good. She then collapsed a short time after. Officer Farlin immediately ran to the police cruiser, grabbed the automatic external defibrillator and began giving the resident CPR until an ambulance arrived. The resident has since passed away from an unrelated medical condition, but her husband wanted to share her story to highlight good in the community.
Reece said it's important to watch out for chest pains and trouble breathing, and to start CPR right away if they recognize those signs.
The next steps are to place an AED and call 911.
"These are all things that will make a difference," said Reece.