Physician Anesthesiologists Saved My Life

Stephanie Arnold

They ordered a crash cart, administered I was nearly nine months pregnant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and had just fed my 2-year-old put in a breathing tube and administered daughter breakfast when I began medications to bring my blood pressure bleeding profusely. I drove to the back up doing everything possible to hospital and underwent an epidural save my life. for a C-section, which was my last I had three surgeries and multiple blood memory until I woke up six days later transfusions to the tune of 60 units before in the intensive care unit and asked waking up almost a week later. I also had whether I was still pregnant. I wasnt kidney dialysis for nearly a month after my my son, Jacob, had been born healthy. son was born. But now, eight months later, But shortly after the delivery, my lungs my kidneys are functioning and Im slowly shut down, my heart stopped beating training back at the gym and taking care of and my blood pressure dropped to zero: my family. More than anything, I know Im I was dead on the table for 37 seconds. I fortunate: studies show about 60 percent had suffered an amniotic uid embolism of women who experience an AFE die. (AFE), the leading cause of maternal Stephanie Arnold The majority who survive suffer from death worldwide. complications such as permanent kidney or neurological When I learned what had happened, I wasnt damage. surprised. A little more than 20 weeks into my pregnancy, My message to patients is this you know your body better I learned I had a complete placenta previa. Despite than anyone else and need to pay attention to what it is an otherwise healthy and normal pregnancy, I began telling you. If you SENSE something, SAY something! I am so experiencing premonitions and an overwhelming thankful I did just that. I told the doctors about my concerns and feeling that something bad was going to happen. I was afraid after multiple attempts, they took me seriously. If I didnt have I would die during delivery. My husband and I feel strongly two very seasoned, experienced physician anesthesiologists, that I might have lost my life had it not been for the quick I would not be here today. thinking and medical care provided by my physician anesthesiologists Nicole Higgins, M.D. and Grace Lim, M.D. I shared my concerns with Dr. Lim during a pre-C-section anesthesia consultation. She took them very seriously and explained what my physician anesthesiologist would do in case of an emergency. The information I shared during the preoperative consultation also prompted Dr. Lim to adjust the anesthesia plan to include extra blood and monitors. Both Drs. Lim and Higgins were with me during the emergency C-section when my premonitions came true: I crashed on the table. Dr. Higgins immediately diagnosed the AFE, and the team took quick action. Stephanie Arnold in the ICU after suffering an AFE during the birth of her son Jacob.

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April 2014

Volume 78

Number 4

 I also encourage every physician anesthesiologist to position yourself to your patients as the person responsible for their lives. Make your patients understand what you do and that you will be there for them, as their advocate, ensuring their safety before, during and after surgery. Your time with them is not inconsequential. Ease their fears by explaining how your extensive education and training fully prepares you to make split-second, life-saving decisions, if and when needed. I dont think patients truly realize the absolutely critical role you play. I know I didnt until after meeting Drs. Higgins and Lim, and it made the difference between being alive or dying when seconds counted, they absolutely saved my life.

If you have your own When Seconds Count story about when your education and training as a physician anesthesiologist equipped you to make split-second, life-saving decisions, please share it. ASA is also looking for additional patients such as Stephanie Arnold who can help us advocate for patientcentered, physician-led anesthesia care. For more information, email PR@asahq.org.

Stephanie Arnold with her son Jacob and daughter.

April 2014

Volume 78

Number 4

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