Michael Eddings: How quick action at Parkridge Soddy-Daisy saved one man's life
At 71, Michael Eddings lives a full and active life.
A longtime Sequoyah nuclear plant employee before retirement, he now spends his days fishing, staying busy outdoors and cherishing time with his granddaughter.
“I like to stay active,” Michael said. “I enjoy getting outside whenever I can, but my favorite thing is spending time with my granddaughter.”
For someone who had always been healthy, what happened on a hot summer afternoon came as a complete shock.
“It was 96 degrees that day, and I had just finished working outside,” Michael recalled. “My arms started feeling numb. Later, my jaw hurt and my legs got weak.”
At first, he brushed it off as effects of the heat, but the symptoms grew worse.
Michael drove himself to the Parkridge Soddy-Daisy Emergency Room.
Shortly after he arrived, he couldn’t even read the registration forms.
The emergency team quickly sprang into action with Dr. Daniel Spollen staying by his side the entire time while an electrocardiogram confirmed he suffered a heart attack.
Parkridge Soddy-Daisy colleagues stabilized him and coordinated emergency medical services (EMS) transport to Parkridge Medical Center for further care.
On the way downtown, Michael’s condition took a terrifying turn.
The EMS crew had to stop to revive him on the way, saving his life and ensuring he arrived at Parkridge Medical Center for the advanced cardiac care he urgently needed.
“They told me I died for five minutes,” he said. “I owe my life to them.”
Once at Parkridge Medical Center, Michael was struck by the thoroughness and compassion of the hospital team.
“It was as good as you could ask for,” he said. “Everyone kept checking on me.”
Nurses monitored him closely and physicians explained each step of his care and made sure he felt comfortable.
Michael credits Dr. Michael Mikolaj and Dr. Joseph Zenisek from Centennial Heart at Parkridge for the exceptional heart care he received. He thanks Dr. Mikolaj for spending extra time with him before he was discharged, patiently going over his recovery plan and making sure he felt confident going home.
“That kind of care really meant a lot,” Michael said. “They made sure I knew they were there for me.”
After several days of treatment and rest, Michael was finally able to return home.
Today, he’s back to fishing, spending time with his granddaughter and living the active life he loves.
“My heart is good,” he declares with pride.
Looking back, he’s especially thankful for the presence of the Soddy-Daisy ER in his community and the care it provides.
“I’m glad they have it there. I probably wouldn’t have made it if I had to drive to Chattanooga.”
That convenient access, combined with Parkridge’s advanced care, made all the difference.
Parkridge’s freestanding ERs are ready to provide the same lifesaving care for their communities whenever it’s needed.