Ms. Bates – Gary and Diana H. are very good friends of ours and I understand they have talked to you about a family medical crises that faced our family in June of this year.

A little background – On June 2, 2011, we found our oldest daughter, Hannah, unresponsive in her bedroom.  After calling 911, starting CPR, and two EMTs that live in our town being able to utilize a defibrillator that we are fortunate that she is with us today.  After a two day stay in our local hospital and another cardiac occurrence, she was air lifted to KU Med Center in KC, Missouri.  After further testing, she’s been diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome and the proud owner of a pacemaker/defibrillator and doing very well, attending Kansas State University and majoring in Secondary Education.

In the meantime, my husband (Steve) has been diagnosed with Long QT and he’s the proud owner of a pacemaker/defibrillator as of August 3, 2011.

We also have one other daughter (Katie) that is also being tested for Long QT and her doctor is treating her with a beta blocker and continues seeing her and testing her.  The testing so far shows that she is boarder line Long QT.  Due to Katie being only 11, the doctor said she is still growing and complications can arise with implanting a device at this time.

Therefore, Katie’s doctor has ordered the beta blocker and that our family obtain a Portable AED for our home.

Gary and Diana H. said they have talked to you about our issues and the need to purchase a Portable AED.  Katie’s doctor has submitted a request to insurance for us but her doctor indicated that they have not paid for others in the past and probably won’t this time.  As the Portable AEDs are a rather expensive item, I understand that you can help us in the purchase of one for around $900-$1000.  If this is possible, please let me know what we need to do on our end to get this purchase accomplished. 

I truly thank you for all your help and assistance regarding this medical equipment issue!!!!  This has been a very mental and physical draining summer but I must say that the man upstairs was looking out for us and we now know that this disorder is within our family and can deal with it and hopefully avoid another situation like on June 2. 

Michelle P. 

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Hi Sharon!

I have so much to catch up with you about personally, but want you to know that I've already signed up to work online.  I do look forward to seeing you!

The 18 yr old daughter of our best friends life was saved this past June 2 due to an AED.  God and several angels were watching over her that morning.  Unbeknownst to them, she has a genetic heart disorder called long QT syndrome.  Hannah's dad works with Gary for KDOT.  The rains came and the guys were called out to close flooded roads at 4:30 AM.  As her dad past her room he heard her gag/gasp and saw her shadow in a weird spasm/seizure.  He tried to shake, slap, whatever to get her out of it.  Then she went limp and he started CPR.  Her mom called 911 and the volunteer first responders were there in minutes.  By the time Gary got there (not knowing, just to pick Steve, the dad, up) at 4:50 their yard was packed with help.  They had to zap her 4 times before they could get her stabilized to transport her to the hospital.  Doctors took a couple of days to figure out whether the seizure caused the heart to stop or the other way around.  She was sent to KU Med and a pacemaker-defibrillator was eventually implanted.  She is doing great and will become a Wildcat this fall!  Her dad also has now had a device put in and her younger sister, age 11, is being medicated and monitored--both for the same thing.  The family is looking to buy a portable defibrillator to have with them for the little sister all the time.  Oh, and that flooded road?  Not flooded by the time the workers got to it...  I still get goose bumps when I get to that part.  Angels were watching, for sure.  (Of course you probably know that the cops were all over their house trying to determine drugs, suicide, etc., etc., etc.)

Anyway, I think I have a family of recruits to help.  If Hannah would have had your tests, likely her condition would have been found.  Yes, I'd told them several times about your screenings, but they didn't get that it was different from a regular physical.  Do you need a voice with a face to promote your LIFESAVING screenings?

I hope YOU are doing well.  I look forward to seeing you and helping Sept. 11!

Diana

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I thought of our conversation and how we just knew how that boy died in MI, then I saw you on the news.

I know words will never bring your son back, but I just want you to know that God always has a bigger plan.  Think of all the young lives Anthony has saved. Every time we hear of another child who loses their life we are reminded of how important your and Anthony's work is. 

I just wanted say Thank you and I will see you in a couple of weeks.

Chin

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I just wanted to thank you for having this service. I took my son to get the screen almost 2 years ago. In light of the recent tragedy of the Michigan teen, it is so important to screen for this unseen issue. It was such an easy thing to do and gives me peace of mind in knowing that tragedy will not befall my son. Thank you again for your work. It matters to so many of us.

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Dear Sharon,

Thank YOU, Sharon.  This is incredible and I will share it with my band, staff, and faculty.  Please keep doing what you are doing.  there are thousands of students that are very grateful to you for your care and persistence.  You are certainly making a difference!

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