Teresa celebrates her 40th
Jenness Mitchell • Published 12 Sep 2012 13:30
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A Fishcross carer who was brought back to life after she dropped dead celebrated her 40th birthday surrounded by family and friends.
As reported previously, Teresa Robertson was working at Beechwood Park Care Home in May when her heart gave way.
Staff attended the emergency call to which Nicola Crossan noticed that her friend and colleague had stopped breathing so started CPR 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.
Their actions saved Teresa's life.
The former St Mungo's Primary and St Modan's High School pupil was rushed to Forth Valley Royal Hospital and then transferred to the Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Clydebank where she was held for over six weeks before returning home.
When Teresa was bedridden her eldest daughter Angela (22) took charge of her mum's care plan, made all the tough decisions, and looked after her sister Claire (16) - who at the time was in the midst of exams at Alva Academy.
Angela has since returned to university and Claire back to school.
Teresa 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. She attends the hospital twice a week to have her driveline dressing done.
Teresa told the Advertiser that she has both good and bad days.
She said, "I'm very happy to be home with my family. I've been back to Beechwood to visit some of my workmates and the residents. I attended Laura's wedding on Saturday which was great, but I don't have much time for hobbies as I have hospital and physio which can be very tiring."
In celebration of Teresa's birthday her family and friends threw a party at the Ochil View in Fishcross last month.
Teresa said, "It was great having everyone there to celebrate with me. The paramedic that attended to me that day was a special guest. I would like to thank Tony Duffy, Ochil View and all my family and friends for giving me such a great party."
Teresa asked for donations instead of presents - raising £1000 to be split between the ambulance service, the Golden Jubilee and to help fund her daughter Claire's trip down to Bath next August as she attempts to go for gold as part of the Forth Valley Disability Sports swim team at the GB Special Olympics National Summer Games 2013.
Teresa is now focused on getting fully fit for next year so as she can cheer Claire on from the sidelines.
This article appeared in Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser 12 Sep 12
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