ARDS Stories ARDS Foundation

In October 1999, Dan and his wife had just had their first son, Edward, who was delivered by C-section; it was a very painful and trying time his wife. About a week after she got out of the hospital, he noticed that he was coming down with a cold. Thinking he had the flu, Dan slept for what seemed like two days until around 3 in the morning, when he woke and told his wife that he needed to go to the hospital.

Due to the C-section, Dan’s father-in-law drove him to the hospital. He went to a hospital in Waukegan, Illinois, where he was admitted for observation. Dan’s health deteriorated so quickly and suddenly, he remember not being able to speak and his blood oxygen level continued to drop drastically; his physician recognized that he had ARDS and realized that if he did not get to a medical center that could properly handle his medical situation, he would not survive.

Dan was air lifted to Loyola Hospital in Maywood, Illinois; by the time he arrived at Loyola, his blood oxygen level had dropped to 2%. The doctors worked tirelessly to save Dan’s life. He was in a drug-induced coma for about a week and a half. When they reduced the sedating medications and he awoke to see his brothers, he was initially confused but then realized how ill he had been. It wasn’t until later that he was told that the doctors were extremely concerned about the reality of potential brain damage because Dan’s blood oxygen level had gotten so drastically low.

When it was time for Dan to be moved from Intensive Care to a regular room, his physician told Dan that his hospital stay would probably be another two to three more months and then another three to four months at home recovering. After the doctor left the hospital room, Dan got out of his bed and started to walk to the bathroom. Though he fell to the floor and it took him ten minutes to get twenty feet, he got there.

Being a stubborn police office and former US Marine, Dan was determined to be discharged from the hospital as quickly as possible. After another week, he was off the oxygen and had all but one IV removed. Shortly after that, Dan was able to continue his recovery at home.

Like all other ARDS survivors, Dan feels that he survived due in large part to Devine intervention. When he was at his lowest, his father would have his entire family surround his bed and pray for Dan. And although it took Dan a couple of months before he was back to full strength, he was able to recover fully. Dan will admit, like many survivors, to getting scared whenever he gets a cold or anything that has to do with his chest. But Dan feels that he is here by the grace of God, that he is living on borrowed time, and now, when he plays with his children, he gives them an extra hour or two of his his time and tries to stop and smell the roses. Life is too short.

The Darkest Day in My Life. Shelia Haefling calls July 30, 1999, the "Darkest Day of My Life." It was on that day that she stopped breathing; it was her second round with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Shelia first ARDS diagnosis was in 1996. She had been smoker for thirty years and could not stop. The smoking led to illnesses that left scar tissue in her lungs. Shelia also worked in a demanding job with UPS, with harsh work hours and often-difficult work environment, and these things wore on her immune system. She went to the ER with severe uncontrollable coughing. They told her that she had pneumonia.

Shelia was immediately admitted to the Critical Care Unit and placed on a ventilator the next day as her oxygen saturation was declining fast. She was in a medically induced coma for the next eleven days. The doctor explained to Shelia's husband that the mortality rate for ARDS is extremely high and that he should "prepare" himself for the inevitable. Both families were actively religious, but this made them even closer to God. And like a miracle, eleven days later Shelia's vital signs on the monitors started to show improvement. Three days later, Shelia would be sitting up in bed and off the ventilator.

It took Shelia almost a year and a half to recover from ARDS and return to work. But within four months, she began to deteriorate. She was back at work with the same hectic schedule and long hours with UPS. In order to replenish, Shelia and her husband, turned to horses and horseback riding for recreation, went riding and canoeing. Shelia had caught a cold and her immune system had become more compromised. So, when they went on a weekend trip on the Forth of July weekend, 1999, she ended up with another infection. Ten days later, she had an uncontrollable cough, was dizzy, and light headed.

Shelia went to her physician, who happened to be Indiana's director of lung transplants. She did not need a lung transplant but felt she could not have a better specialist for her lungs. When she went to the emergency room, Shelia was admitted to the lung transplant floor at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, since this was her doctor's floor. In three days, she was in the Adult Critical Care Unit, in a coma and on the ventilator, with ARDS for a second time!

Five and one half months later, Shelia woke up. She had pseudomonas aeruginosa, a gram-negative bacterial infection that spread fast in her system while she was in the coma. Not only did she have pseudomonas aeruginosa, but also MRSA, and a systemic yeast infection all of which affected her lungs and again, Shelia was not expected to live. This time the mortality rate was even higher. And as before, her vitals changed just as suddenly as they had went she was admitted.

After Shelia survived ARDS a second time, Shelia was left with pulmonary fibrosis and it became inevitable that she would need a lung transplant as a result of the infections. For the last eighteen months, Shelia had been on the transplant list in Indiana, waiting. She was number one on that list for quite a while and there was at least one time that a donor was available, but the lungs were not a match.

In October, 2002, Jack, Shelia's husband, notified the ARDS Foundation that Shelia was in the hospital due to the fact that Shelia had gotten debilitated while waiting for her lung transplant. The hospital was helping her back into shape while waiting for the lungs. In the middle of October, Shelia had to be moved to isolation for protection against infection. The ARDS Foundation knew that Shelia was a fighter; after all, she beat ARDS twice before, and so prayers were dispatched as well as cards and notes.

However, on November 15, 2002, Jack learned that Shelia had acquired an unusual antibody would cause her to reject the transplant almost immediately and her chances for transplant had plummeted to nearly zero.

The following day, this email was received from Jack: "Shelia passed away today, November 16, 2002, at 12:50 PM EST. She went peacefully in my arms.

"Shelia is survived by her husband Jack, her children Scott Dewees, Dawn Stout; parents Miles and Mary Scott Miller; sisters Debbie Huesman, Rhonda Morgan, Beth Martin; and three grandchildren. Jack delayed Shelia's funeral at Shelia's request so that those from near and far could attend what they like to call her "Celebration of Life."

In April, 1999, Donna and Richard's nineteen year old daughter Amy was feeling run down. When she went to the doctor, she was told she had mono and she should rest. But she began to have trouble breathing. Within the next week, they were at the emergency room three times. The last time at the ER, Amy was given IV fluids, but sent home. The following day, Amy was taken to another hospital because she was drastically worse, so bad she had to be carried; from there she was sent to Westchester Medical Center in New York City. By the time they arrived, Amy was in respiratory distress; she was placed on the ventilator. She had multiple organ failure. Amy spent nearly three months in a drug induced coma. During that time, Donna and Richard, who took a leave of absence from work, stayed by her bedside, comforting her, praying for her. Amy suffered all the typical complications that accompany an ARDS patient: heart, lung, liver, and kidney failure, multiple pneumopthoraxes requiring chest tubes, blood transfusions, trach. The physicians told them that Amy had less than a 5% chance of survival. Each day, they did not know what news the doctors would bring: would today be good news or bad? Or even just news that she was not getting worse? There were decisions that had to be made and as their lives stood still, somehow, the world kept moving on. Bills still had to be paid and houses still had to be maintained and other responsibilities still needed to be attended to. At one point, they called the family in and were about to give last rites, when the physicians agreed to try Amy on Nitric Oxide. Within twenty-four hours, Amy started to improve. About a week later, they took her out of the coma and shortly after that, she was weaned from the vent. Following this horrendous experience, Donna and Richard became involved in offering support to others who have gone through the same thing that they have experienced with their daughter. As the days dragged into weeks, and the weeks dragged into months, Donna and Richard became part of a group of people that very few parents join, which is why they wanted to help others who found themselves in a similar situation. Through their experiences, they could help others. As parents of an ARDS survivor, Donna and Richard want others to know that ARDS is not always a death sentence, and to never give up hope! Today Amy is living a normal and healthy life.

On January 31, 1995, Linda Root's husband took her to St. Clare's Emergency Room in Schenectady, N.Y. Linda had been ill all weekend, but didn't think too much about it; she had not been running a fever. That Tuesday, she saw bugs crawling on the ceiling and was coughing up blood, which terrified her. Obviously, her brain was being deprived of oxygen. The only thing 52 year old Linda remembers after arriving was someone putting an oxygen mask on her. She felt claustrophobic and tried to take it off. She went to sleep and when she woke, it was early in April. Linda had a pneumococcal pneumonia, had developed sepsis and consequently, ARDS. Early in February, she had to have her gallbladder removed due to the damage from the sepsis. At that time, she also had a trach done. Linda was on the vent until the middle of April. It was touch and go the entire time. Her family basically had no idea of what had happened to her and her two children moved home to be with their Dad. There was no information anywhere explaining what had happened to Linda and what they could expect. It was just day after day of the same thing. Around the middle of March, the doctors had Linda's husband contact their priest and their local undertaker. Linda was given the Last Rites. Linda's husband, Joe, was told that it was pretty much hopeless and when the inevitable happened, he would have everything prepared. During the crisis, Linda developed seven blood clots and had five pneumothoraxes. She has scars on her chest from the chest tubes that were inserted and still has a troublesome unhealed bedsore on her right heel. Linda was in the critical care unit for three months and then was transferred to Sunnyview Rehab Hospital where she stayed for one month. She lost all strength and muscle control and was down to 90 lb. Although terrified, the staff who helped Linda through her rehab were relentless and gave her so much love and encouragement, she will never forget them. On June 1, Linda came home with supportive oxygen. She went to Outpatient rehab for the next six months. She returned to work in January 1996. Rehab was very hard. It was painful to get better but she was determined. Linda developed Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and went to a psychologist for about five months. Through the support of her family, her priest, her friends and the wonderful medical community Linda was able to become one of the lucky ARDS survivors. Linda retired in November 2001. She and her husband split their time between Ft. Meyers, Florida and upstate New York. Linda has seventy percent of her lung capacity, which does not keep her down. Linda has spent the last five years writing to ARDS survivors and families who have loved ones with patients in crisis. Linda does this because she is so thankful for all of the help that she received when she was sick. Linda is amazed at the progress being made in recent years and is hopeful that one day this devastating syndrome will be conquered.

On May 12, 2000, LoriBeth came home throwing up and with a terrible headache. That same day, she found out that her car had died, she received her final divorce papers in the mail, and her student loans took her IRS money of $1350.00. The next morning, she woke up with a fever of 104 degrees; Sunday she was vomiting and could not even get off the couch. A friend helped give her an alcohol bath but LoriBeth knew that something very serious was wrong.

On Monday, May 15, 2000, LoriBeth went to the doctor, who told her to get an x-ray, and on Tuesday, she was told that she had triple pneumonia and was admitted to the hospital. Shortly after that, LoriBeth was intubated. Her parents and brother came in from out of state to be with her and her eight year old son. Her friends kept a vigil with her family. LoriBeth was in the Backus Hospital in Norwich, CT. for fourteen days, where they saved her life. LoriBeth experienced a number of vivid nightmares while in her drug induced coma which lasted for twelve days. Finally, her lungs began to clear. LoriBeth was on the ventilator for fourteen days. Though her recovery was slow, and at times frustrating, LoriBeth is so thankful for everything that everyone did for her realizing that in many ways, what happened was a greater emotional roller coaster for her family.

"My Summer Journey of 98" On July 8, 1998, Linda Silva went to the hospital to have a ERCP, which is a tube inserted in through the mouth that goes into the ducts leading to the Gallbladder, Liver and Pancreas and stomach. The chance of infection was very low, about 3%. Shortly after, 38 year old Linda was released but on the ride home, she started getting ill. At home, she got progressively worse throughout the afternoon and evening. At 11 PM, Linda ended up in another hospital. Once Linda was stable, her husband went home. Shortly after that, Linda's husband was called back to the hospital; Linda was in CCU. She was intubated and had ARDS. The ERCP had caused Linda to get Pancreatitis which in turn caused her body to get Septic. Linda suffered Multi organ failure and her Pancreas was eating away with dead tissue. Due to these circumstances, Linda was transferred to Brigham and Woman's hospital in Boston. In Boston, Linda had a trach and spent the next 6 weeks heavily sedated hooked up to a vent. She endured many infections and surgeries. She had blood clots and blood transfusions. Many nights Linda's husband was called for fear it would be Linda's last. Although the commute was not easy, Linda's family and friends made sure that there was someone with her almost every day. Finally, Linda began to turn a corner. Her recover at first was difficult but she was determined to get home to care for her family, a twelve and fifteen year old. Linda believes that her incredible medical care, coupled with the many prayers from so many people, including the medical staff, especially Tom, one special nurse, were what helped her to not only survive but also to recover. When Linda first came home to Peabody, Massachusetts, from the hospital, she found herself, once caretaker, now the one who needed to be cared for. As everyone began to get on with their lives, she found that she was often alone in her recovery from ARDS. But once she got her computer, and got online, connected with others who were going through what she had gone through, she no longer felt as alone or scared anymore. Now that time has passed, she wants others to know that they are not alone either.

Before her illness, Meg was an active, healthy mother who balanced her time between taking care of her toddler son and working as a cultural diversity trainer, software trainer and on-camera spokesperson. She had been an active member of the Seattle theatre community, performing in professional stage productions and touring the Northwest with two different diversity theatre companies. She and her husband Tom spent their spare time sailing, downhill skiing, playing tennis and making music.

Then on December 28, 1998, their lives changed forever. Meg had been admitted to Swedish Hospital in Seattle five weeks earlier due to complications in her pregnancy. She was ordered to go on complete bed rest until her daughter’s lungs were mature enough to function on their own after she was born. Karina was delivered by C-section that night. Meg was relieved to finally be going home after five long weeks in the hospital.

Forty-five minutes after the delivery, Meg started gasping for breath. Her blood pressure plummeted and she went into cardiac arrest. A team of doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists and other support people worked frantically to save Meg’s life. She was finally resuscitated after 45 minutes of CPR and defibrillation. This was just the beginning of her long, arduous journey into the nightmare of ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) and DIC (Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy).

It took many weeks for the doctors to finally determine the cause of all Meg’s problems. She had suffered an Amniotic Fluid Embolism, a rare condition in which amniotic fluid enters into the bloodstream and usually is fatal. ARDS and DIC are just two of the critical, and usually fatal conditions that resulted from the embolism. Meg also suffered kidney failure, which necessitated daily dialysis, liver failure, which caused jaundice, and sepsis. She spent more than two months in the Intensive Care Unit on a ventilator. She was initially intubated, and then a tracheotomy was performed after about three weeks.

She ruptured an artery in her abdominal wall that resulted in a huge abdominal hematoma. Because of the size of the hematoma, her diaphragm pushed up into her lungs, and it exacerbated her breathing problems. The hematoma has reabsorbed quite a bit, but even after two-and-a-half years, she still looks pregnant because of it.

Meg miraculously survived despite the odds. But once she was off the ventilator it took many more months in physical therapy to regain her ability to walk and take care of herself.

She left the hospital more than five months later. At that point, she was only able to do basic daily activities. But she continued physical therapy for about fifteen months, first as a hospital outpatient, then at a health club. She has since graduated from a walker to a cane to walking on her own.

Meg is currently a stay-at-home mom and author who also does occasional on-camera and voice- over work, designs websites and writes.

The residual effects of her illness are the abdominal hematoma and permanent nerve damage in her legs. She is not able to participate in many of the active things she did before her illness, such as tennis and skiing. However, she is finding other ways of being active, such as golf. In addition, her asthma has worsened due to the scarring in her lungs from ARDS.

On January 28, 2000, Stephen and his wife Lynn were skiing at Mt. Rose, near Reno, Nevada. As a 66-year old cardiologist, Stephen was in pretty good shape. Stephen enjoyed a vigorous first ski run and was starting another. Without explanation, about 100 yards up the lift, he fainted, had seizure-like movements and fell 30 feet out of the chairlift.

Stephen was transported to a hospital in Reno and then back to Seattle to Harborview Hospital where a series of symptoms ultimately lead to full-blown ARDS. Tubes were put down his throat (intubation) and, for the next month, he was dependent on a ventilator.

Steve was in the hospital for 92 days. Numerous medical procedures were used to keep Steve alive, including a tracheotomy. In addition, a hole was made in his head to release fluid. He received seven blood transfusions and was put on a rotating bed. Dialysis was performed and a feeding tube was inserted into his duodenum. Steve also had an exploratory laparotomy and was put on medications to maintain blood pressure. Finally, he underwent medically induced coma & paralysis (so that he wouldn't interfere with mechanical ventilation).

Twice Steve was declared nearly dead or hopeless, with less than a five percent chance of survival according to several consultants. Yet, he was one of the fortunate ARDS victims to beat the odds. After his three-month hospitalization followed by another three months of rehabilitation, Steve was able to return to his medical practice.

Dr.Stephen Yarnall has written a book. "Beyond Medicine" For more information click here or e-mail him(above).

On February 7, 2001, Amanda Tissen was broadsided by two car thieves who had stolen a vehicle and were running from the police. Although her husband only suffered whiplash and bruising, thirty-eight year old Amanda was trapped in the vehicle for about an hour until the fire department was able to free her. She sustained a compound fracture of her left humerus, multiple fractured ribs, a collapsed left lung, and a ruptured diaphragm.

During the next two days, Amanda developed breathing problems. On February 11, 2001, Amanda was put on the vent and sedated; she developed pneumonia and was diagnosed with ARDS. Amanda has no memory from the scene of the accident until March 2, 2001, when she became aware of her husband Tony, asking her to focus on his eyes. She was weaned from the vent on March 6 and her trach removed. By March 9, Amanda was discharged from the hospital.

When discharged, Amanda was told that she would be fine within four weeks. Contrary to this, over the next few months, Amanda experienced a roller coaster ride of depression, elation, paid, and emotional stress. She believes that much of this could have been alleviated had she had the knowledge and access to information regarding her ARDS and it's aftermath.

Amanda lives with her husband Tony, and her three children Aleisha, Damian, and Tarryn in Johannesburg, South Africa. Amanda wishes to reach out to, and help people finding themselves in ARDS crisis. No should ever be in a position of not knowing where to turn.

In June, 2000, thirty-five year old Jack, went into respiratory arrest and was diagnosed with ARDS. Jack had a drug problem for many, many years and overdosed on heroin. His lungs had become so hardened and congested. The wonderful staff at University of Michigan saved him after nearly one month in ICU.

Jack came home from the hospital to his family's house to recuperate. He weaned himself from the oxygen after about 2 months at home. He was doing very well and was off of drugs. In January, he moved to a small condo near his family. In March, Jack joined his parents in Florida where they spend the winter. He stayed for 2 months and looked better than he had for years, tan and healthy. He fished and rode his bike everyday, gaining back his strength. He returned to Michigan the end of April.

Two weeks after that, Jack was on his way to his cousin's college graduation party, but he never made it there. It was May 13th. He was found in the car slumped over the wheel, parked in a fast food restaurant in the inner city of Detroit. He died of a heroin overdose. His lungs just could not take anymore drugs. Jack's doctors had warned him of the risks, but Jack always thought he was invincible, he always said he could bounce back. This time he did not and Jack's parent's hearts are forever broken.

They are telling Jack's story because they want anyone who thinks that they are invincible, that they can outsmart the drugs, the addiction, to realize, to really know, the terrible sadness that drugs bring to all involved, not just to the user, but to his or her family and friends. When he died, Jack was probably very hopeful about his life. He had many dreams and aspirations that were never realized. He probably thought to himself that one more time using heroin would be okay; after all, he had survived ARDS. Jack's parents stand here, ready to say that one more time was one time too many. And now, they only hope that Jack's story might touch someone and have meaning for someone with similar problems. Some might say that Jack was saved in vain last June 2000, but God and the doctors gave them one of the best years that they have ever had with Jack and those last 2 months in Florida hold the most wonderful memories for them. Jack had a most loving heart and a great sense of humor. He just took the wrong path and even thought he fought the addiction, it finally won.

On November 16, 1999, Cathy Montz went to the East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie, Louisiana, with a kidney infection. Because she had been having trouble breathing for a couple of hours, they took an x-ray. She was admitted and on the following day, Cathy was intubated. Cathy was 57 years old.

Cathy was in a coma, intubate for three months. During that time, she was on 100% for seven weeks, she had, among other things, a massive blood and urinary trach infection, double pneumonia, blood transfusions, kidney failure, large abscess in her right lung, chest tubes. Cathy wore those tight stockings and boots to prevent foot drop; she was tested my neurologists to determine brain damage due to lack of oxygen because when she came out of her coma, she just stared into space.

When Cathy emerged from her coma, she was completely deconditioned. She could not walk, talk, or move. She thought one day had passed. But due to her daughter, who never gave up on her, and the wonderful staff, especially her pulmonologist, Dr. James Mc Cullough, and Allen in rehab, Cathy survived what have amazed the medical staff.

Today, Cathy has a very good quality of life. She lives with moderate to severe lung damage, and is on oxygen for 8 to 10 hours a day; she hasher challenges, but has a great life. Cathy says that although it is not the same as it was before ARDS, she has enough to make life worthwhile.

On March 20, 1998, Linda M. Scrutchfield had her third open heart surgery. At the age of 51, Linda is one of those people who gets used to being called a survivor; at thirteen years old, she had rheumatic fever and found out the two heart valves were no good. Her son was born in the CCU when Linda was admitted for heart failure. Six weeks later, Linda had her first heart surgery. Later, she had a tumor the size of a baseball removed from her arm. After that, a hysterectomy followed. Then a second heart surgery.

But when Linda had this third heart surgery, she learned the true meaning of survivor...blood had built between her brain and skull and the doctors had to drill to relieve pressure on the brain. Though she survived the surgery, within twenty-four hours, Linda developed ARDS. She spent the next six to seven weeks in a coma, three months in the ICU and another month in rehab.

Linda is now on oxygen twenty-four hours a day and has COPD, which developed as a result of the ARDS. Linda, who lives in Oklahoma, has been married for 34 years and has two children and nine grandchildren. Linda writes verses and Prayers for those in need and does this to show my love for life.

On March 4, 2004, ARDS Survivor Linda Scrutchfield was sent by ambulance to Saint Francis hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was in respiratory failure from pneumonia and also had congestive heart failure. Eventually, she was diagnosed with ARDS a second time.

Sadly, on March 9, 2004, Linda passed away quietly and peacefully early that morning at about 12:20 AM. Linda never regained consciousness. Her husband, Sonny, and their daughter and son were with her.

On September 15, 2000, forty-four year old John Bolasky went to the hospital for knee surgery. Shortly after the surgery, John had complications and was diagnosed with ARDS. He spent the next 23 days fighting for his life. John's wife Robin, brother, sister-in-law, and many friends were with him during his hospitalization.

After John was released from the hospital, he underwent many studies to determine what had happened to him. They performed lung scans and sleep apnea studies and told John that he had anxiety and panic attacks. John knew something was wrong so he keep seeking out more expert advice.

Finally, a physician at the University of Maryland told John that he had other patients with similar problems: reflux. Laryngospasm is what happens to John when the goes to his voice box. He is now on three different types of medications to see if this will correct the problem. John lives in Laurel, Maryland with his wife Robin. Prior to the original surgery, John worked as a trackman for Amtrak, where he hopes to return soon, after surgery.

Jackie and Ray Binder were married on his 60th birthday, August 12, 1993, in Sedona, Arizona. They had known each other for about 30 years as they had worked together at the North Las Vegas Fire Department, she as the chief's administrative assistant and he as a fire captain. After Ray took an early retirement from the fire service he devoted more time to his part-time position as investigator for the Clark County Coroner's Office. When Ray wasn't working, he ran and cycled. He had logged nearly 100,000 miles and was in excellent physical shape.

This was why, upon returning home from a summer in Alaska, Ray and Jackie were shocked to learn that there was a strong possibility that 65-year-old Ray had lung cancer. During the first week of January, 1999, Ray had a surgical biopsy which confirmed their fears, and the lower lobes of the affected lung were removed. Although the first day following surgery was uneventful, the next day Ray became hallucinatory and violent. He had to be restrained and was medically paralyzed and deeply sedated. He was also attached to a ventilator. Jackie remained by his side. She recalls the horrors of watching the steady pulsating sound of the machines, sitting and staring for hours at the fluctuating numbers on the monitors above Ray's bed.He did not awaken when the paralytics and coma-producing drugs were discontinued. Shortly after being diagnosed with ARDS, Ray developed multiple organ failure and one by one, each of his organs failed. He was given blood transfusions and he suffered strokes, necrosis in his feet, seizures, and internal bleeding. Finally his heart stopped beating. He had been on the ventilator and unconscious for nearly a month.With God's help and the help of family and friends, Jackie has been able to come to terms with what happened and now she welcomes the opportunity and feels a responsibility to help others who are facing what she faced. She knows there are often difficult decisions to be made regarding treatment. She's familiar with many of the emotions that one might feel -- guilt, fear, hope, despair, anger, weariness -- often all within the same day or week.Jackie wants Ray's death to mean something. She tries to look for good things in the not-so-good things. She hopes that by helping to support and educate others, they may feel less frightened and alone than she once felt. She would welcome the opportunity to share her experience with anyone who is seeking support and information about ARDS.Jackie still lives in the home that she and Ray bought just before they were married. She has two grown children -- a daughter who lives with her -- and a son who lives in Denver, Colorado. She is active in her church and enjoys her friends and various hobbies and crafts. In addition, she is constantly entertained by her three cats -- Smokey, Katie, and Bunny.

On October 20, 2001, Jeralyn Hines had a terrible headache. Although her had 102 degree fever, the next morning, she went to work. Two hours later, Jeralyn's head hurt so badly she could not think or see; her chest and back hurt and a coworker brought her to the emergency room where she discovered her fever was at 105.They thought she had meningitis but she did not; Jeralyn had had a urinary tract infection and e-coli which had spread to her lungs, causing sepsis. This, in turn, is what caused her ARDS, which was diagnosed two days later, when they finally took a chest x-ray. Although Jeralyn does not remember much about the next nine days, she was awake, but delirious most of that time. Unlike most ARDS patients, Jeralyn was on a C-pap, rather than a ventilator, and would not keep it on if she was left unattended.Jeralyn suffered horrendous dreams during this time. She thought she saw people living in the television set, was watching the TV though it was never on, and saw her son, who had passed away only eighteen month earlier telling her to fight for her life.After that, Jeralyn did. When she was released from the hospital, she was underweight and began to eat six meals a day, gaining too much weight. She did six weeks of pulmonary rehab post ARDS. She went back to work at an area hospital on January 21, 2002, only three months after she was hospitalized. Although she was tired, and at times it was difficult, she is confident that she can overcome whatever challenges she faces. At forty years old, Jeralyn lives in Cental Indiana with her husband, Steve, and her four surviving children.

On March 28, 2001, Rhonda Bova awoke with terrible stomach cramping. Rhonda went to the emergency room at Riverside Methodist Hospital where she was told she needed to have an emergency appendectomy which took place at 11:30 PM on the 28th. Though the surgery went well, within forty-eight hours, Rhonda got progressively worse; she was talking wildly, hallucinating, and her breathing was labored. Rhonda had ARDS and was intubated, on a ventilator.During the month of April, Rhonda's family, friends and co-workers kept a constant vigil, and even kept a journal of her entire hospitalization, documenting the ups and the downs. As with most ARDS stories, there were plenty of both. Rhonda remained on the vent, until, to everyone's amazement, she pulled it out herself on April 24, 2001. After careful monitoring, the doctors decided to leave it out.Rhonda was transferred to Dodd Hall at the Ohio State University on April 30, 2001, where she had extensive rehabilitation. On May 4th, she went home to her husband, Scotty, but continued out-patient therapy two days a week for two months. Although Rhonda was not expected to go back to work until October, she has progressed so well that she went back part-time the middle of July and full time on October 1st, 2001.When asked how she felt on the first anniversary of her hospitalization, Rhonda, who works at the CBS television affiliate in Columbus, said, "To think that for a 60 MINUTES procedure, I was in ICU within 48 HOURS, and by the FIRST MONDAY it was an AMAZING RACE to see if I would be a SURVIVOR. I've always felt YOUNG & RESTLESS and this experience has taught me that AS THE WORLD TURNS, there will always be a GUIDING LIGHT and we all at one time or another will be TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL.

If you would like add your story, please fill out our Contact Form. The stories will be edited for length so that we can include as many as possible.

The ARDS Foundation
3100 Dundee Road, Suite 402
Northbrook, IL 60062
PH: 312-749-7047