Ambulance crew credited for lifesaving efforts
TOGETHER AGAIN — Front left to right: Robert “Kim” Olson and Kimberly Olson. Back: Sam Morgan, Sarah Sundve, Chad Neitzel, Dylan Arnold and Sara Jo Vulcan. (Submitted photo)
Publishers’s note: The following is an account from last Thanksgiving written by Kimberly Olson.
The Olson family Thanksgiving began as a typical one, with plenty of food and plenty of children.
With our table for 12 filled we took turns at saying what we were each thankful for. This has become an annual tradition. Mr. Olson always saves his speech for last. He listed the many family blessings we had received since the previous Thanksgiving — from two weddings of our children and the addition of their spouses to the family, to the graduation of several more children. He spoke of another daughter, Melanie, who had just recently moved back home after making a few changes in her life. He ended his talk by saying that he was also thankful all of his loved ones including himself were healthy and that none of us were celebrating the holiday from a hospital bed. I had no idea what things he had just prophesied and how much things would soon be changing. Later that evening, after the last of our adult children left, we decided to call it a night and head to bed.
Our sleep only lasted about an hour and a half with my husband waking to indigestion. He asked if I had any antacids. In what must have been milliseconds I uncharacteristically chose calmly to call 911, giving our names and location and stating my husband might be having a heart attack. I wasn't panicked at all as I thought the problem was probably just that last piece of pie. My husband didn't have a history of needing antacids, but it was Thanksgiving after all.
But the internal urge to call overcame. In the next seconds my mind went from making sure our littlest daughter didn't wake to hear us and be frightened, to how I was going to get my husband downstairs as the first responders weren't going to get him from our bedroom to the front door easily. In what took just moments he dressed and headed out the front door, claiming to feel very hot. I knew things were getting serious. I woke our daughter Melanie and asked her to head upstairs to be with our youngest because we were heading to the hospital. Melanie instantly asked where he was and I said he stepped outside. She flew out of bed saying, "He could collapse!" Once outside that's exactly what she found. In a matter of seconds she began chest compressions. She was unrelenting, standing barefoot in the cold. It all happened so fast and yet it felt like it was in slow motion. I watched in horror as my loving husband and best friend opened his eyes only to close them and slip away.
This was the single most horrifying moment of my entire life. I watched helpless as Melanie continued working to save him. The lights began arriving and the first responders piled out. In what felt like forever they joined us on the front sidewalk of our home. I recognized many faces, but was powerless to do anything or even speak coherently. I was rushed inside to give them room to work.
I watched in horror through the window as his lifeless body laid on the ground. No pulse, nothing. In what seemed like a horrible scene from some television show, the first responders were shocking my husband's chest. To our relief and immense gratitude they brought him back from the other side.
Many things still needed to happen to save his life, a helicopter ride to Saint Mary's in Rochester, a stent and eventually personal defibrillator. But I not only wanted to, but needed to recognize the heroes we have in New Richland.
First and foremost, I want to recognize our daughter, Melanie Chalhoub. Her quick thinking undoubtedly helped to save his memory and his wonderful mind. She had the courage and fortitude that I did not. I could not possibly be more proud to be her mother. Next, Mr. Olson and I want to thank Sarah Sundve for administering the lifesaving shock to restart his heart, as well as Chad Neitzel, Sara Jo Vulcan, Sam Morgan and Dylan Arnold. We owe you a huge debt of gratitude. We are eternally grateful that our story didn't end that night. We have many more memories to make. Your selfless acts are an inspiration to others. There hasn't been a single day since the incident that I haven't thought about how differently things could have been. Our family thanks you all.
Melanie has said that the stars were all aligned that night. I believe she was right — from the quick 911 call, to Melanie recently moving home, to the first responders and to the quick helicopter transport, along with the excellent hospital staff and the outpouring of family support. Lastly, but most importantly, we wish to give thanks to God for aligning these people in our lives. We are truly blessed.
Kimberly Olson