Weekly Essential

Thursday, June 25, 2015

The Phone Call you Never Expect

In an instant our life changed and I have found the courage to share our story
in hope that it will help others

On Friday, September 26, 2014 I received the phone call you never expect.   It started after my mother and I boarded a plane to Texas, to visit family.   Patrick, my husband got the kids off to school for the day.  Then my healthy, 43-year old husband drove off to work on his next construction project.



When we landed in Texas, I got an emergency call that Patrick had been in an accident at work and he was in critical condition and being life-flighted to the top trauma hospital in Salt Lake City – some 50 miles away.   As I soon found out, my mother and I headed back to the airport. 

Patrick had had a massive heart attack and was found by his co-workers, without a pulse.  Amazingly, a co-worker was able to resuscitate him using CPR, until the EMTs arrived. Patrick went without oxygen for approximately 8-10 min.


The first few months were a blur. Three weeks in intensive care with tubes for his body’s basic necessities.  Family moving in to help with the kids; friends and neighbors bringing meals and helping out with chores and projects; and so many of you offering your prayers and kind words of support for us.  I never expected it would be like this. 


The doctors told me he had an Anoxic Brain injury due to lack of oxygen and worst case, he will never walk again and most likely will be a vegetable and you will have to hand feed him the rest of your life.  They were optimistic because of his age and said they didn't know for sure and it takes a long time for the brain to heal. I told them that they were wrong and they didn't know my husband. Day 14 in the ICU, Patrick stood up and the next day he walked. 

On October 17, 2014 Patrick was strong enough to move to another hospital for rehabilitative care where he relearned to move, eat and breathe on his own. Weeks of lying sedentary as well as other challenges and medications have put us on a slow, but steady path to his recovery. 

 Today he still undergoes therapy and is still re learning things. He is doing great and healing slowly, but he is healing. 

Whether you’ve ever had something so sudden happen to rock your world or not, you probably know someone like me, to whom life has changed in…a heartbeat.  It took a lot of courage to share our story, as Patrick is still healing and so is our family. My dear friend and neighbor, encouraged me to to share our story as it could help others. When this happened, I said to myself and others, something good has to come out of this. 

You can either choose to be the sad victim or be a great health advocate for your loved one. I made a promise to Patrick and I love him dearly and I did not leave his side, until the doctor told me to go home it was going to be a long recovery. Having faith and believing that everything will be okay and something good will come from this or it wouldn't be happening to us. It has definitely brought us closer as a family, and reminded us what is important in life. 

To view a 18 minute webinar on our story and what has helped us heal, {Click Here} to view webinar







It is a miracle that Patrick is alive. We are so grateful for our family, friends, neighbors and community for there love, support and prayers. I have learned so much and taken so much for granite. Please slow down and enjoy your loved ones and life. Don't get caught up in it all and forget what is really important. 

Today, Patrick still has therapy and continues to work hard on healing everyday. He does therapy, energy work, acupuncture and uses essential oils. (click here to learn more about essential oils).

Here we are today...



I have created this blog to share our story and to help others, to keep family and friends updated and who ever else would like to follow our story as we continue to heal. I hope someday Patrick will be able to write and share his story. 

Thank you,

Kollette and Patrick Chambers