The Woodlands Hospital Emergency and Cardiovascular Teams Act Fast to Save a Life

Saving Delucie Happe’s Life and Her Independence

Delucie Happe, a 69-year-old mom of two, lived a fairly healthy lifestyle and had yet to endure any major health concerns—until she began to feel shockingly unwell during one of her daughter’s visits. With a call to 911, Delucie was transported to St. Luke’s Health–The Woodlands Hospital, the closest emergency room. In fact, its proximity was critical in saving Delucie’s life.

Immediately upon arrival, Delucie went into cardiac arrest for 13 minutes. The emergency team continued resuscitation until Delucie’s heart restarted. Diagnostic testing showed she had suffered an acute occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, which caused a major heart attack. Within an hour of the heart attack, Delucie received a stent to supply her heart with vital blood flow. She was in a comatose-like state for days, preventing any active participation in those first stages of recovery. She stated later that she felt “so grateful [the doctors] knew what they were doing.”

Not only were the medical staff “very attentive and did what needed to be done,” to save Delucie’s life, they were also extremely accommodating to her family as well. The staff kept her family informed and made sure Delucie’s daughter could stay in her mother’s room every night of her three-week hospital stay. During a time when Delucie herself couldn’t provide comfort and reassurance, she’s “most appreciative” of the efforts made by The Woodlands Hospital staff.

Once Delucie’s physical therapy began, she became more aware of her experiences. Not only had she endured a major heart attack, but during cardiac arrest, Delucie had also suffered a stroke, leaving her body unable to perform her typical daily tasks. Delucie needed to relearn how to use a walker, take a shower, and care for herself again. She didn’t think she would ever be able to return to her former, independent lifestyle. But with the help of her “absolutely incredible” PT crew, she felt strong, confident, and capable of living alone again.

The fast-acting expertise of The Woodlands Hospital emergency and cardiovascular teams managed to save Delucie’s life with minimal residual heart damage.

Thinking she would need them, Delucie bought the necessary handicap furnishings for her home but never had to install any of it. “I can do what I did before,” and none of it would be possible without her team at The Woodlands Hospital.