BROUGHT BACK FROM THE DEAD
Jenness Mitchell • Published 29 Jun 2012 13:00
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A FISHCROSS carer who was brought back to life after she dropped dead is hoping to return home today.
Teresa Robertson (39) now wants to focus on getting fully fit so as she can watch her daughter Claire (16) compete at the GB Special Olympics National Summer Games 2013.
Teresa told the Advertiser, "I'll still be going."
Last month the former St Mungo's Primary and St Modan's High School pupil was working at Beechwood Park Care Home in Sauchie when her heart gave way.
Staff attended the emergency call after nurse Nicola Crossan (26) noticed that Teresa had stopped breathing and rushed to start CPR on her friend and colleague, whilst fellow nurse Andrea Smith gave rescue breaths.
At the same time, Nicola's twin sister Laura Kennedy, who is also a nurse at Beechwood, phoned for an ambulance while care home manager Margaret Choudhry and nurse Vickie Gallagher helped out in any way they could.
Nicola, who grew up in Tullibody and graduated from Stirling University in 2006, said, "Everyone played their part. I got Teresa back a few times, however she stopped breathing on several occasions. I continued CPR until the ambulance came.
"It was the first time I have ever had to perform CPR on someone I know and care for. I can remember everything that happened that day and felt shocked and scared for her."
Teresa was rushed to Forth Valley Royal Hospital and then transferred to the Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Clydebank where she has been for the past six weeks.
She has now been fitted out with a ventricular assist system, whereby a pump has been inserted into her heart which is connected to a lead that protrudes from her stomach to an electric or battery power-run control.
If her heart doesn't heal in time she will be put on the heart transplant list.
Teresa said, "I had no prior warning, I thought my health was fine. My heart is badly damaged and I was the sickest person the doctors have ever had to put a pump into. There was a lot of risk I wouldn't pull through. The docs are surprised at how well I'm doing - I've even been called a miracle case."
Teresa's eldest daughter Angela (22) took charge of her mum's care plan, made all the tough decisions, and has been looking after her sister Claire - who at the time was in the midst of exams at Alva Academy.
Teresa said, "The kids have been very strong through it all. I'm so proud of them."
Teresa wished to thank her family and friends for rallying round.
She added, "I was very lucky I was with people who knew what they were doing and that the ambulance was quick in coming. I can't thank Nicola enough for what she did and the rest of the staff at Beechwood that day - they were amazing.
"Now I'm looking forward to getting out of hospital, getting back home to my own bed and getting back to my family."
This article appeared in Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser 27 Jun 12
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