5th Rebirthday Post

Jan 31, 2021 (five days after my cardiac arrest) | I don’t remember any of this.

I am beyond thankful today. January 27th, 2026 is my 5th “rebirthday.”

Those of us fortunate enough to have survived SCA (sudden cardiac arrest) often refer to the day we didn’t die as a rebirthday, because for us it often is like living a new life.

I also call it my “bonus time.” So far, I’ve enjoyed 1,825 bonus days, give or take. I’m thankful for all the extra days God has given me and hope for many more.

But as I look back I’m deeply thankful today on so many levels. Here are some of the things and people I’m thankful for:

First and foremost I’m thankful to God, who not only spared my life and granted me this extra time, but who restored me completely. I’ve been told my chances of survival were less than 5%. Because I was without a heartbeat for 53 minutes, my chances of having brain damage were significant. Yet here I am. One of my ICU doctors commented, “I don’t use the word ‘miracle’ lightly, but in your case I’ll make an exception.”

I’m thankful for my wife Laurel, who never left my side during the whole ordeal except to allow Charlene to come see me when I was on the rehab unit. (Everything was still locked down due to covid and I was allowed only one visitor at a time.)

I’m thankful for our daughter Charlene who came from next door and performed CPR for about 15 minutes until the Campbell VFD arrived to take over. She literally saved my life.

I’m thankful for our son Chris, who not only set up a GoFundMe to help us pay our medical bills but who left his family and job to come down and stay with us until I was back on my feet.

I’m thankful for our daughter-in-law Betsy and our granddaughter Elly, who shared Chris with us for about six months.

I’m thankful for my sister Sherry who let us stay with her after we lost power during Icemageddon 2021, which hit just as I got out of the hospital.

I’m thankful for my son-in-law Cole who drove us over to Grand Prairie during that ice storm and got us safely to my sister’s.

Today.

I’m thankful for all who prayed for me and Laurel during that time. God heard your prayers.

I’m thankful for neighbors and friends who reached out and helped us in so many ways during that time.

I’m thankful for all of the first responders, emts, drs, nurses, therapists, and everyone else who helped me not only survive, but recover.

I’m thankful for all who donated to the GoFundMe that Chris set up. My heart attack happened as I was transitioning to Medicare but because of a mistake I’d made, it wasn’t fully in effect. Your gifts eased a huge financial burden.

Suffice it to say that I feel truly blessed today. I don’t know how many more bonus days, months, or years God will give me.

I just know that every morning that I open my eyes is a gift. And I thank all of you for being a part of that gift.