Letters: Man survived heart attack thanks to help from strangers

This is a letter of thanks to some people who stopped to help a stranger and to some medical professionals who did a great job.

Early on the morning of July 4 my friend Schorr and I started jogging on Highway 199 in Hiouchi. After a short distance he collapsed with a heart attack. About 12 compassionate motorists stopped to help: several called 911, three people did chest compressions, while others directed traffic away from us. Clothing was brought to cushion our knees and Schorr's face was cleaned of blood. They were all generous, caring and very effective, doing whatever needed to be done.

The ambulance personnel took over care upon arrival and I had no time to get names of those who helped before leaving in the ambulance with Schorr. The ambulance personnel worked very hard and provided effective defibrillation, which restored an effective heartbeat. He arrived at the hospital critically ill, unconscious and not breathing, but still alive.

The staff at Sutter Coast ER, the LifeFlight personnel and the staff at Rogue Valley Hospital CCU also did a great job—all knowing that his chances of survival after 25 minutes of CPR were very poor.

During 13 days of intensive treatment Schorr clung to life, still unconscious and breathing on a ventilator. Family and friends were at his side almost constantly. Then he started breathing on his own and woke up. The doctors said they can find no remnant damage to any bodily system including his heart and brain.

Despite being very weak, his brilliant sense of humor has been entertaining all at his bedside since he woke up. I told Cheryl at the cafe that the good news is he survived and awakened; the bad news is he's the same old Schorr.

I think my friend survived for three reasons: some wonderful people stopped to help a stranger, he got great medical care, and he kept himself very fit.

Schorr would like to personally thank all those who helped him. If you are one of those people, would you please contact me at (707) 703-5922.

David Gibbs

Hiouchi