After medical crisis, Haverhill couple grateful for actions of Good Samaritan nurse
photo/submitted
By Bonnie Adams
Managing Editor
Marlborough – Two years ago, David Fatum of Haverhill survived a brush with death, thanks to a nurse in the right place at the right time. His family never found out her name but are hoping that by sharing his story they may find and thank this kind woman who saved his life.
It was on May 11, 2017, his wife, Susan recounted, that David, a medical courier, was traveling on I-495N, near Marlborough, when suddenly he was stricken with a massive heart attack.
“His vehicle veered off the highway onto the median strip. The heart attack would have taken his life in a matter of minutes if not for the nurse traveling behind him,” Susan said. “She followed him as his car veered off the road, barely missing hitting a tree.”
The nurse used a very large rock to smash the rear passenger side window to get into the car where she found David had no pulse. After calling 911 she immediately started administering CPR.
“She also had the presence of mind to use David’s cell phone to contact family,” Susan said. “We were told others were also on the scene to help.”
David was first rushed to Marlborough Hospital and then transferred to the UMASS Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, where he was put into a medically induced coma and put on life support. Once he was taken out of the coma, he still needed intubation and then after a few weeks, was determined to be strong enough to be able to have quadruple bypass surgery leading to “a miraculous recovery every step of the way”.
“It was a long journey but we saw miracles, one after another,” Susan said. “He recovered fully. The doctors were amazed at each hurdle to recovery David made. We also thank God and a praying church family.”
Susan and David are also incredibly thankful for the actions of the nurse who stopped, as well as the others who responded to that crisis.
“So many people played a role in helping David gain full recovery. It all started when the nurse made that quick decision to follow, stop and help David,” Susan said. “Others stopped on the scene as well to assist. I am so thankful for all the helpers!!
Susan noted that it’s possible that she may never have the opportunity to thank anyone that assisted her husband in person that day,that perhaps they wish to remain anonymous. But she hopes that somehow word will reach them and they will know how much their actions meant to her and her husband.
“Upon his follow up to the cardiologist, the first words said to David by the doctor were, ‘You have a new birthday!’” she said.
“David has been given a second chance at life and we are so grateful,” she added.
