MY TURN: Quick thinking saves life
I just saw a program about a man who saved another's life by using the Heimlich maneuver. I want to tell about my grandson, who is alive today because of the quick thinking and knowledge of his wife.
Jeremy Hester and his wife, Andrea, were in Salmon on Aug. 10 celebrating their 29th wedding anniversary. It was to be a day of hiking and visiting hot springs in the area.
Andrea, an employee of the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn, had taken a CPR class as part of her work two or three weeks before their trip. She had tried to excuse herself because it had been such a busy summer with work and family events. Also thinking she would never use this knowledge. Jeremy had warning signs of heart problems but thought it was indigestion or other less-serious problems.
On Saturday morning, Jeremy was up and dressed before Andrea, which was unusual. He told her he was having chest pain and wanted to go to the hospital. They immediately started but before they arrived he said his pains were gone and he was OK.
They went to breakfast and talked about if they should do the hike they had planned. He said "let's go, I'm OK." They did the hike, about 5 miles, and had some beautiful pictures on the phones. One in particular with Jeremy in a hot pool. Andrea said he did stop a couple of times to rest but got back OK. After resting, they went to dinner about 8 p.m. Back at the Airbnb about 9 p.m. while getting ready for bed Jeremy collapsed.
When Andrea could not wake him, she called 911 and began CPR. She continued this until first responders arrived. About 20 minutes. By ambulance he went to Salmon Hospital. The medical personnel recognized this was a case for a heart specialist. They made the decision to send him to Missoula, where there was a team that would take over.
Jeremy, age 48, flew by helicopter to the hospital, about one hour. Surgery was immediate, stents in and replacing blood, about 6 units. Andrea, who was coming down a stray road in Jeremy's work truck she was not used to driving, got to Missoula about three hours later after the surgery. He went into an induced coma. Touch and go, no one knew what he could withstand.
The next morning, he woke and asked where he was and where was everyone. Much relief, but doctors are cautious. Several days in the hospital and he came home. Home two days and he had a second heart attack. This time, they went to the Coeur d'Alene hospital. Home again and improving a little each day.
He does not remember the hike but is looking better each day. We know it just wasn't his time. It is nothing short of a miracle he is here among loving family including his two children and two grandchildren.
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Helen Hester is a Spirit Lake resident.