Writer thanks strangers in Eaton

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I’m writing with a very personal story.

At the beginning of October, I made a trip to Miami University, and on my way back quickly fell ill. I was in Eaton, and my symptoms got so bad that I had to pull over in the parking lot of the Dollar Store. Apparently, I blacked out; because at some point a very concerned citizen was tapping on my window asking if I was okay. Although I insisted that I was fine, I wasn’t fine; and eventually called 9-1-1. The medics that came and ran tests on me (even thought at that point I was feeling much better) insisted that I go to the emergency room — mostly because he saw something odd on the EKG. And even though the emergency room doctor could find nothing on the EKG, he decided to transfer me to GrandView Medical in Dayton because of what the EMT told him he saw.

Long story short, it was discovered (at GrandView Medical) that I had the most severe category of aortic stenosis (previously undiagnosed). Although I did check out of GrandView Medical and returned to OSU Ross Heart Hospital for treatment, those initial steps by a few very thorough and diligent professionals are what saved my life. I had no idea what was wrong, and there weren’t any clear-cut answers for anyone involved, and yet they were all concerned enough to keep insisting I take the next step toward treatment and/or diagnosis.

These people didn’t even know me. They were just concerned.

I don’t know who these people were, but if I could, I wanted to reach out through the paper to thank them… the gentleman in the grey truck who stopped and tapped on my window, the EMT who insisted I go to the emergency room, the emergency room doctor who just wasn’t comfortable sending me home.

Thank you.

I’ve since had open-heart surgery, and am recovering. According to my cardiologist, I wouldn’t have lived through the year without having the surgery. I’m 58, with a teenager still at home, two wonderful granddaughters, a husband that loves me dearly. I know it wasn’t my time; and that this series of events and these concerned citizens are what saved my life. Otherwise, I’d have driven home and called it a day.

Again, thank you. All of you.

Caren Petersen

Columbus

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