A MUM has been reunited with a paramedic who helped save her life after she had a cardiac arrest.
Suzie Young spent 10 days in hospital last year as a result of the incident, saying that the “trauma” of the event had taken its toll.
Grateful for the life-saving actions of Scottish Ambulance Service staff, Suzie, along with husband Ian, visited Haddington Ambulance Station to meet paramedic Andy Rae, who was the first Scottish Ambulance Service responder on scene.
She also wanted to pass on her heartfelt thanks to the rest of the team who saved her life when she took unwell last summer.
This included Steven Hay, clinical team leader Dalkeith; Vicky Korotkich, paramedic, and Kayleigh Gibson, technician, both based at Haddington, who were also in attendance; and ambulance control centre staff Mark Linden, Colin Carr and Neil Finlayson.
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Fifty-three-year-old Suzie said: “It was amazing to get to say thank you to Andy.
“It felt very emotional to meet the person who saved your life.
“He explained the events that happened from his point of view and it reinforced what a lucky girl I am to be alive.
“The care I received from the ambulance service was amazing.
“I am so grateful to Andy for saving my life.
“He was so calm and caring with my husband. I remember in the hospital Andy coming back to see how we were doing and he gave Ian a big hug.”
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Speaking about the incident, Suzie, who worked as a headteacher in West Lothian at the time, recalled how she started to feel unwell at about 8pm on July 3 last year.
The mother-of-one added: “I lay down on my bed but it got worse.
“I then went into the bathroom to lie on the floor to feel cooler.
“My husband called an ambulance.
“I was aware I was very sick and I was unable to talk or move eventually.”
Shortly after making the call, Andy arrived at the family’s home in Bonnyrigg followed by the other staff.
She said: “Andy showed Ian how to preform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) while he delivered four shocks with a defibrillator.
“When I woke up, there were four members of the ambulance service who took me to hospital.”
Suzie was then transported to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, having multiple tests.
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She added: “I was treated for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, but unfortunately, they felt that is not what caused my arrest.”
She was diagnosed with arrhythmia, which is an irregular heartbeat, and eventually fitted with an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator).
Suzie added: “The trauma of the event had taken its toll on me but, through their support, I am now thriving.
“I have started my exercise classes again and have a part-time job working with my local MP as a caseworker.
“I have such a positive outlook on life and I am grateful every day that I am able to enjoy time with my wonderful family and friends.”
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