Michael Williamson

I wish to formally thank my nurse, Michelle, who cared for me.

Following emergency colon surgery (diverticulitis and a perforated colon) on September 8, 2021, I struggled to breathe and see for a few hours. (Sepsis and Perforated Bowel, Sepsis and Surgery) At 2:58 a.m. on September 9, 2021, my heart and lungs stopped. Cardiac arrest. Pulmonary failure. Renal failure. I went into asystole. I was suffering from sepsis.

According to my reading as a layperson, I only had about a 10 percent chance of surviving this event.

My wife (who was right there), said that RN Michelle IMMEDIATELY called a Code 99. No delay. Every second counted and the team members, using epinephrine and CPR, still took 11 minutes to get my heart beating again.

Incredibly, I not only fully recovered (hospitalized for 3 weeks), but I have no damage to my brain, lungs or heart. If not for Michelle’s instantaneous response, I may have lost a few minutes of response time and suffered permanent organ damage or- most likely- died.

Michelle’s reaction was one of the keys to saving my life and I want to ensure that she is recognized and honored. I cannot repay Michelle for what I owe her.

I had a stoma and wore a colostomy bag for 4 months. On January 5, 2022, I received stoma reversal surgery. That operation had no complications and I was released from the hospital 3 days later.

Today, I have recovered to the point of walking, jogging, weightlifting, driving and even working part-time.