I've lived in Mtn Home since 1989, so that's...hold on...I'm thinking...WOW! Exactly 25 years! Boy, I think I can almost declare myself an Idahoan. But my family is British and I grew up in Louisiana around lots of other Brits so I still think I'm a little bit of a mutt. Those of you who have been around awhile may remember when I used to blog all the time. My opinions weren't very accepted and there was always an issue because I work for the county. That really wasn't fair because I NEVER blog at work! And I am still entitled to my opinions and thoughts about city and county issues, right? However, it stirred a lot of pots and those pots certainly can make a lot of noise! Since I'm a writer, I took what I wrote in my blog seriously so I spent a lot of time researching things which got exhausting to do when you're not even get a paycheck for it. So I stopped. That was a blessing to many! However, to this day, I still have people stop me and ask me why I wasn't blogging and t! hey missed it. I've missed it. Mainly because there are so many issues that come up and I have no voice except around my friends and I'm sure they are tired of it.

A life was saved on Saturday

Posted Thursday, March 31, 2011, at 10:29 AM

A life was saved on Saturday. It was a wonderful day in Hagerman. Ken surprized me with a trip to Miracle Hot Springs for some relaxing alone-time. He wanted us to get away from work, kids & stress. We enjoyed a nice soak in the hot spring water but suddenly Ken started to feel unwell. He hated to say anything; wishing not to ruin our time together. I could see that he was pale, short of breath and sweating. He dismissed it as just a passing thing due to the hot water. I told him that he needed to get something to rehydrate and if he didn't feel better, then I was gonna take him to the nearest ER. Of course, his response was. "No, we are not ruining the day sitting in an ER for hours."

So I drove him to the Hometown Mart in Hagerman, went into the store and quickly got him some tea. I returned to the car to find him reared back against the seat, gasping for air. He was completely rigid and red. I ran back to the store and yelled to call 911.

I returned to the passenger sidedoor, and checked pulse; finding none and started CPR. A concerned lady came into the car from the drivers side and encouraged me. He was not breathing! I pushed as hard as I could, pumping on his chest. I stopped as he started breathing a few seconds and then he gasped again so I started CPR again but I couldn't get good compressions in the seat of the car. My goss, he was dead weight so I looked out over the parking lot and asked a man to please get him out of the car and onto the pavement. He pulled Ken out as the lady placed her jacket under his head. I resumed CPR with hard effective compressions. We are still waiting for rescue to show up. Ken started breathing on his own again, but it only lasted a short while and he arrested again. I started CPR and then the kind lady took over. We shared the task as the Rescue team pulled in. Finally, I turned over my husband's life to the professionals.

Hagerman Rescue had a automatic defib machine. Thank God that they did. Ken required two seperate shocks before he was brought back to life. The rescue team were wonderfully professional and saved Ken's life. Gooding Ambulance arrived about 20 minutes after the call was made. Ken was alert and talking as they loaded him into the ambulance. If Hagerman Rescue hadn't been there, I know that Ken couldn't have survived. They saved a life on Saturday. I contacted the Twin Falls paper to tell the story and publicily thank the wonderful lady who encouraged and even shared the CPR with me and give credit to such a great Hagerman Rescue team. I hope that it will be printed.

It is a wake-up call, when a 49 year old faces death 40 miles away from any hospital. He had a complete blockage of his artery and required a stent to be placed to open it up for blood flow. According to the doctor, his good cholesterol levels were very low while his bad cholesterol was very high. This is a treatable condition if you get these levels checked. When the good levels are low, then it can't keep up with the plague building up. So with the right treatment and life choices there is no reason that another heart attack should occur.

Comments

View 19 comments

Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.

Thats great Kim, sorry you both had to go thru that but looks like with the right treatments and meds Ken should be ok at least hope so. Keep us up to date on whats going on. Am sure everyone will put our differences aside and deal with the real world when things like this happen.

-- Posted by Eagle_eye on Thu, Mar 31, 2011, at 10:45 AM
That had to have been a very scary time for you Kim. I'm happy to know he survived and is now on medication...

I know what its like, a few years ago my step-dad had a heart attack and I had to do cpr on him. It seemed like forever for the ambulance to get there.

We just lost a friend a couple weeks ago due to a heart attack

Make sure he continues to take his meds every day

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Thu, Mar 31, 2011, at 10:55 AM
Kim,

I will pray that you both come out of this stronger than you were. You have already displayed great strength in giving your husband CPR and saving his life. A lot of people are not able to stay calm and do what is needed when a loved one falls ill like that. Congratulations for having that strength.

-- Posted by jtrotter on Thu, Mar 31, 2011, at 12:26 PM
I am glad that he is okay now. I am afraid, that I wouldn't have been much help.

Hagerman is such a nice town, it was more than just fortunate, that you were there.

Both of you have been blessed.

-- Posted by KH Gal on Thu, Mar 31, 2011, at 1:41 PM
GOD BLESS YOU KIM .....STAY ON HIS BUTT ABOUT THE MEDS......THEY WILL KEEP HIM ALIVE.......GREAT JOB HOPE ALL WILL BE WELL...................

-- Posted by lamont on Thu, Mar 31, 2011, at 4:02 PM
My thoughts are with you both. What a scary situation. Take care of each other. B

-- Posted by Brenda Fincher Publisher MHNews on Thu, Mar 31, 2011, at 4:08 PM
So thankful this story had a happy ending. What a blessing instead of tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.

-- Posted by lilmissmelmo on Thu, Mar 31, 2011, at 9:28 PM
Thank goodness he is okay. Thoughts and prayers. Thank goodness you knew CPR and had some angels around that day. All of my best, T.

-- Posted by OpinionMissy on Thu, Mar 31, 2011, at 9:40 PM
Outstanding Kim... you were able to help save your husbands life. You keep your head and SAVED HIM.. Kim you are a hero along with the lady that encouraged and help. Our husbands know each other from the AF and I just read this to him, he also commented on your outstanding courage.. WAY TO GO KIM...

-- Posted by workingbee on Fri, Apr 1, 2011, at 11:20 PM
Thanks to everyone who commented and sent such wonderful encouragment. It is powerful stuff to hear priase where none is needed. I am so blessed. Life is such a precious gift. Second chances are so very rare. As the song goes, "Somewhere in my youth or childhood; I must have done something right." in order to have this 2nd chance with Ken. Or maybe he did something right. Either way, there's a brightness to the world; there's a definite craving or lust to do more and see more. Thanks be to God and all those who saved us from grief and despair.

-- Posted by kimkovac on Sun, Apr 3, 2011, at 10:10 AM
Also, forgot to say...Keep up your CPR and 1st aid skills cause you never know when you will need it.

-- Posted by kimkovac on Sun, Apr 3, 2011, at 10:11 AM
Thank God you rememebered what to do. After a CPR class with first aid a few hours ago a co-worker came upon a car accident and there were a total of seven seriously injured people. He could not treat even one person as he froze. Luckily some others arrived to help.

-- Posted by skeeter on Sun, Apr 3, 2011, at 12:45 PM
Kim,

Ken had a angel by his side that day...YOU!

God bless you and your husband...I will be

praying for you both and I hope your husband Ken has a speedy recovery.

If you or your husband need anything from this "liberal" just let me know...and I mean that!

Take Care

-- Posted by DUMBFOUNDED IN IDAHO on Sun, Apr 3, 2011, at 11:39 PM
Wow, I'll add my thoughts and prayers to your situation. Your husband does have an angel in you..... thank goodness you were together at this time.

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Mon, Apr 4, 2011, at 10:40 AM
Dumbfounded: Your "liberal" offer is so precious to me. No matter the differences in our views, I will always respect you. Thanks. Sidenote: I just heard that Obama annouced that he is running for another term. What GUTS! I think that this next election will be a doozy! I look forward to debating it with ya.

Eagleye: Nice to read your kind words. It is truly in crisis that we will all allow love and kindness to be our guide. I am so glad that you took the time to pass that on to me.

Bazooka and Donna: There are people that you know in life that are golden. We may never spend alot of time together or ever enjoy a BBQ, but that doesn't matter. You are that special type that no matter the time of day or the situation, I could call on you. You are a blessing!

Jtrottter: Wow, you have touched me deeply with your kindness. Isn't it funny how God can speak to so many through a willing vessel? Thanks!

MsMarylyn: There are so many sparkling sides to what makes you who you are. Thanks for taking the time to share with me.

Jessie: Your kind words & prayers are appreciated.

Skeeter: It's amazing but natural for that to happen to people. for me, I think of something that my Mum told me once and it was a fine thing for her to say. She stated that I am at my best when there is a crisis.

Workingbee: Man oh man, I just know that I know you! Thanks for so much for your words, but hero should go to the Hagerman Rescue team. What an outstanding bunch of people. I hope that the Twin Falls paper will print my thank-you letter I sent. And I know that many of u strong women would have done the same thing. We are committed to caring for our loved ones and any cop, fireman, etc...will tell you that the last person that they want to mess with is a WIFE-MOTHER. God made us spiritually and earthly strong.

OM, Lilmisselmo, KHgal and Brenda: We all have so much in our lives and time is precious so taking a moment to encourage me and pass on your words means alot to me; Strengthens me. God bless you!

-- Posted by kimkovac on Mon, Apr 4, 2011, at 9:00 PM
Kim, I can't speak for others but I sure would like to know how Ken is doing now after his problem, I don't need details but be nice to know, surely things have changed in his life.

-- Posted by Eagle_eye on Tue, Apr 5, 2011, at 6:05 PM
Healthwise: There is heart damage and he will have to take meds the rest of his life. The reality of a heart attack is a real slap-in-the-face wake-up call to everyone. He was a ticking time-bomb for quite awhile without knowing it. You see, the good cholesteral was low so the high cholesteral was depositing plague in his arteries at a rapid speed without the good stuff keeping it in check. That is why it is so important to have these levels checked. If a person doesn't know that the good kind is low and unable to undo what the bad stuff does, then they are walking around on the verge of a 100% blockage and sudden death. However, if a person takes the time to have their cholesteral levels checked, then this could be averted and even corrected with the right medicine.

Ken is walking every day, taking his meds and eating better foods. He has started a "bucket list" and plans to fulfill it all before facing his maker. I have also noticed that he is quicker to smile, laugh and cherish those around him. Though he is not working and feeling uncertain about future employment which would normally cause stress, our appreciation for a second chance at life has given focus on what is important. We can down-size our needs even more and find happiness in less. And finding a new job is less about how much it pays and more about what a job can contribute to his need to do something worthwhile with his life.

-- Posted by kimkovac on Thu, Apr 7, 2011, at 6:48 AM
Good to hear he is doing as well as he is.

And if he appreciates the smalls joys in life more...then you have found your silver lining. Your entire family will learn to appreciate simple things...and simply appreciate all things

Jessie

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Fri, Apr 8, 2011, at 11:20 AM
Awesome story! I am so glad this has a happy ending. Must have been quite scary but you did amazing. I am glad you added that people should keep up on their CPR first aid skills. You never know when you might be given the opportunity to use them and save a life. It is one of the best things you could do for yourself and those you love. I'm a cardiac nurse and know the importance those compressions make. May his recovery be swift and I am glad to see he is making the changes that will help him become more healthy. A positive attitude and smiling helps also and it sounds like you both have that. The American Heart Association is having a heart walk on May 21 Saturday at Julia Davis Park. Not sure if it is appropriate to add this but the more support the better.

-- Posted by BoiseRN on Thu, Apr 14, 2011, at 3:33 PM

Respond to this blog

Posting a comment requires free registration:

If you already have an account, follow this link to login
Otherwise, follow this link to register